QCD worried about the use of unapproved chemicals by farmers

Tepa (Ash), Nov. 17, GNA 96 The Quality Control Division of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has expressed concern about the use of unsuitable agro chemicals by cocoa farmers to spray their farms. Mr Samuel Edmund Bissiw, Ashanti Regional Manager of the Division, says the COCOBOD and the government were deeply worried about the reported cases of high chemical residue in the country's cocoa and cautioned that, if care was not taken it would compromised the quality of the beans on the international market.

He has therefore appealed to cocoa farmers to desist from using unapproved agro chemicals in order to maintain Ghana's reputation as the producer of quality cocoa beans in the world. Mr Bissiw was addressing cocoa farmers at a regional best farmer awards ceremony on Thursday, organised by the Produce Buying Company (PBC) for its farmers at Tepa in the Ahafo Ano South district. He cited instances where some farmers used poisonous agro chemicals to spray cocoa beans before fermentation and said such practice was not only dangerous to the cocoa beans but other food crops in the farm as well.

Mr Bissiw advised the farmers to use only approved chemicals and apply them according to the instructions provided and also undertake proper fermentation of their cocoa beans before selling them. Mr Anthony Osei Boakye, Managing Director of PBC, said the company had initiated a process to access funds from the Millennium Challenge Accounts to help its cocoa farmers to maintain and expand their farms. The Company had also contacted Data Bank to assist farmers through education and investment options in the management of their incomes. He said the Company had received 59 billion cedis from the government as bonuses to be paid to its farmers this year.

About 60 cocoa farmers were honoured at the ceremony. They received Wellington boot, cutlasses, radio cassette recorders, solar torch lights and certificates. A total of 339 cocoa farmers are expected to be honoured throughout the region by the PBC.