Cocoa sprayers go to school

Breman Asikuma (C/R), July 22, GNA- A day's training workshop for 80 Cocoa Spraying Gangs' supervisors in Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa (AOB) district, to prepare them to work credibly during the 2008 Mass Cocoa Spraying Exercise, which will commence on August 1, 2008, has taken place at Breman Asikuma.

It was also aimed at sensitizing them to apply the new insecticide called "Actara", which is more effective than Aketie, properly on the cocoa trees for more yeild.

Mr. Theopilus Djorbuah, a facilitator from Calli Company Limited Tema, took the participants through processes such as how to mix the Actara, how to apply it, cost management, and the safe use of Agro Chemicals.

He advised them to be cautious, and after work wash their hands with soap before eating to avoid any problem, since the chemical was not for human consumption. Mr. Djorbuah entreated the supervisors to discharge the task entrusted them without fear or favour, so that the huge sums of money that the government was spending on the spraying exercise would not be wasted.

Nana Tutu III, Central Region Chief Cocoa Farmer, and Nana Kweku Esuon II AOB District Chief Farmer in their addresses advised the supervisors and their gangs to be careful in other not to politicize the exercise for it was a programme to benefit all cocoa farmers. They also urged them to mindful in other not to demand money from the farmers before spraying their farms, added that, whoever was found in that act would be handed over to the police for prosecution. The Supervisors appealed the district task force to increase the size of the gangs to enable them cover the whole area. 22 July 08