Spraying periods of spraying gangs are appalling - Chief Farmer

Akuapem-Sankofa (E/R), Aug 2, GNA - Opanyin Kofi Gyimah, the Chief Farmer at Akuapem-Sankofa, has appealed to the Ghana Cocoa Board and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to educate cocoa spraying gangs on the right time to undertake the exercise.

He said when the crops were properly sprayed at the right time the farmers would have maximum yields.

Opanyin Gyimah said this at a communal labour to repair a broken down wooden bridge and the filling of potholes on some roads leading to cocoa growing areas.

He said because of improper period of spraying by the gangs some of the cocoa trees perished while some did not bear fruits and that the cocoa farmers were worried about the situation.

Opanyin Gyimah said frequent changes of spraying gangs was also a contributing factor to the problem leading to the decline in cocoa production and that it was about time the setbacks and corrupt practices were eliminated in the system by the government for the hard working farmers to enjoy the benefits of their labour.

Opanyin Gyimah appealed to the government to make available to the farmers implements at subsidised prices.