Farmers urged to check diversion of cocoa spraying materials

Tepa (Ash), Aug 10, GNA - Nana Kwame Amankwatia, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Farmers Association (GCCSFA), has advised farmers to be more vigilant and help prevent diversion of insecticides and other inputs supplied for the mass cocoa spraying exercise.

"It is in our own interest to make sure that the exercise is successful," he said.

Nana Amankwatia was addressing farmers from all the 32 societies in the Tepa Cocoa District at the start of the mass spraying in the area on Monday.

He said for effective coverage by the spraying gangs and to ensure maximum impact, it was important for the farmers to clear their farms of weeds and remove mistletoes from the cocoa trees.

The Regional Chief Farmer also told them to see to the correct application of the 'hi-tech' fertilisers sold to them.

This, he said required adhering strictly to the technical advice of the agricultural extension officers.

Nana Amankwatia expressed the hope that cocoa production levels in the region would see significant increase through the successful implementation of those interventions.

"We are indeed grateful to the government and would do our bit to enable the country to earn more foreign returns from the crop." Meanwhile, Nana Alex Mensah has been elected the new District Chief Farmer of the Antoakrom Cocoa District. He was elected unopposed after his main challenger, Mr Asenso Bonsu had withdrawn from the race.

Speaking after the election, Nana Amankwatia asked the farmers to maintain the unity and cohesion of the GCCSFA.