COCOBOD hits one million tonnes target

Accra, Aug. 26, GNA – The on-going 2010/11 cocoa season attained an unprecedented level of 1,004,194 metric tonnes on August 18, representing the 10th week of the Light Crop season.

At the end of the 10th week, the cumulative 2011 Light crop purchases stood at 87,384 metric tonnes while the 2010/11 main crop which closed on May 19, was 916,810 metric tonnes.

This was contained in a statement issued in Accra on Friday by Mr Anthony Fofie, the Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

“This record production has been as a result of the collective efforts by the government, farmers, COCOBOD, Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and other stakeholders in the industry through adherence to good agronomic practices, payment of remunerative producer price, application of fertilizers, disease and pest control, use of hybrid cocoa seedlings and scientific research,” it said.

The statement said “Since the liberalisation of the internal marketing of cocoa, governments through COCOBOD have implemented pragmatic policies to ensure that Ghana maintains the quality of cocoa it provides to the international markets as well as sustaining the increase of cocoa production.

It is through these policies that the one million tonnes target has been achieved.” “ We take this opportunity to congratulate our hardworking cocoa farmers, LBCs, Hauliers, chemical and processing companies, the national anti-smuggling taskforce, and all stakeholders in the cocoa industry for their relentless efforts that made it possible for COCOBOD to achieve the record level of cocoa production.”

Meanwhile, the statement said COCOBOD was processing the second tranche of the 2009/10 bonus for payment to farmers.

“As we prepare to enter the 2011/12 crop year in October 2011, we encourage all stakeholders to continue to work diligently to enable us sustain the increasing level of cocoa production,” it added.