Cocoa Smugglers Could Lose Their Farms

Cocoa farmers in border towns have been warned that they risk confiscation of their farms to the state if they are found indulging in smuggling.

Nana Kofi Mensah, district chief farmer of Kaasse who gave the warning at a meeting with members of the Ghana Cocoa, Coffee, and Sheanut Farmers Association therefore urged cocoa farmers not to hesitate to expose the activities of

smugglers.

Nana Mensah said smuggling undermines the country's economy and if the practice is not stopped all effort by the government to rebuild the economy would come to nought.

The chief farmer called on the government to grant soft loans to farmers enable to them to expand their farms.

Nana Mensah expressed concern about the deplorable state of feeder roads in the area and appealed to the government to improve the situation.

Mr Kwaku Arthur, district storekeeper of the Cocoa Input Company stressed the need for the farmers to embrace the mass spraying of cocoa farms, which aims at eliminating the black pod disease and improve yield.

He also advised them to save with the banks in order to qualify for financial assistance.