Cocobod distributes 110 million cocoa seedlings in two years

Cocobod has within the last two years distributed a total of 110 million hybrid cocoa seedlings to farmers across the nation as part of scale up effort to boost production levels.

Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, the Chief Executive, said four million permanent shade tree seedlings were also supplied during the period.

This was contained in an address read for him at the 22nd annual delegates’ conference of the Kuapa Kokoo Co-operative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Union Limited in Kumasi.

The meeting was held under the theme “The importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana – the Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union story”.

It provided the platform to undertake a critical performance review, identify the challenges and discuss the way forward to promote growth.

Dr. Opuni underlined the determination of the Cocobod to support the rehabilitation and replanting of destroyed cocoa farms.

It was in line with this that it had increased the number of nurseries in the cocoa belt to 332, he added.

Ghana’s cocoa output has averaged 850, 000 tonnes per annum in recent years, and he said the target was to hit 1.5 million tonnes in the next couple of years.

He said achieving this would be dependent on a number of factors - effective pests and disease control, attractive producer price, environmental and proper soil fertility management.

Madam Fatima Ali, President of the Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union, said it had now established 57 operational districts to enhance its operations - maximize purchases, minimize losses and efficiently manage potential risks.