The Cocoa Health and Extension Division of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has mobilised cocoa farmers in the Asamankese district to revitalize efforts toward increasing cocoa production, following a significant decline in national output lately.
According to data on cocoa production in Ghana, the country’s cocoa yield peaked at one million metric tonnes in the 2010/2011 season.
However, this remarkable output dropped to about 650,000 tonnes in 2022/2023, with a further decline to 450,000 tonnes in 2023/2024.
In response, the Division is prioritising farmer engagement by distributing four million hybrid cocoa seedlings, early bearing and disease-resistant, aimed at boosting productivity and reversing the falling trend.
Addressing participants in Asamankese, Dr. Solomon Koomson, the Eastern Regional Manager of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division, said that the seedlings would be allocated to farmers whose farms are properly shaded and assessed by Cocoa Extension Agents.
He noted that proper measurement of farmland was essential for optimising agricultural input use and standardising output levels.
Dr. Koomson also underscored the importance of adopting the best farming practices in response to climate variability.
He encouraged farmers to apply organic fertilizers, practice mulching, and interplant cocoa with plantain and other food crops to provide necessary shade for young cocoa plants.
Additionally, he said potassium-based fertilizer would be distributed to cocoa farmers in the Eastern Region this year, explaining that this would help enhance plant resilience, improve water absorption, and strengthen crops against environmental stressors such as drought.
He urged farmers to adhere strictly to guidance from Cocoa Extension Agents on fertilizer application rather than relying on unauthorized sources.
“Using fertilizer for its intended purpose, complying with recommended agronomic practices, and embracing scientific farming methods are essential to maximizing yields, maintaining cocoa bean quality, and improving incomes,” he stated.
Mr. Michael Sesi, Union Manager of the West Akyem Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Union Limited, called on farmers to actively participate in sensitization and training programmes to help improve their knowledge in the sector.
He stressed that farming is a business that requires informed, strategic decision-making to thrive.
He also encouraged individual farmers and cooperatives to join the union to benefit from free training initiatives and other incentives to improve farming practices.
The rally brought together key stakeholders, including officials from the Municipal Food and Agriculture Department, to reinforce support for sustainable cocoa farming in the Eastern Region.
