Mad rush for free cocoa fertilizer

Hundreds of cocoa farmers thronged the premises of Cocoa Health and Extension Division of the Ghana COCOBOD at Dormaa Ahenkro to receive some bags of cocoa fertilizer distributed by the Government for free.

When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the scene, farmers from Dormaa Central, Jaman South, Berekum West, Jaman North, and the Dormaa East Districts, all in the Brong Ahafo Region, were queuing to write their names to receive their share of the COCOFEED fertiliser.

Some cargo and pick-up trucks were also seen busily packing and loading the bags of fertiliser for carting to the various destinations of the farmers.

Speaking to GNA in an interview at Dormaa -Ahenkro, Mr. David Afriyie Gyebi, the Municipal Cocoa Officer, Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), said so far, a total of 25, 960 bags of cocoa fertiliser had been distributed to qualified cocoa farmers in Dormaa – Ahenkro.

Additionally, he said, 10, 000 bags of Elit organic fertilizer had been supplied to farmers at the Dormaa East District and Dormaa Central Municipality.

His outfit had also received some 1000 cartons of liquid fertilizer for onward distribution to some selected and qualified cocoa farmers in the Region, he said.

Mr. Afriyie Gyebi stated that an additional consignment of 70, 000 bags of fertiliser were expected to be delivered for distribution to qualified farmers at the Jaman North, Berekum, Jaman South, Dormaa East Districts and Dormaa Central Municipality.

The Municipal Cocoa Officer said the supply of free fertiliser, which started last year, had been given a boost this year as a result of the COCOBOD management’s knowledge about the shortfall experienced in the distribution patterns of the fertiliser and the urgent need to address the problem.

He described the level of patronage of the fertiliser as high, stressing that, it had led to the doubling of yields.

Mr. Gyebi warned those who engaged in the illegal selling of the products to desist from such acts as they would be arrested and prosecuted.

The Municipal Cocoa Officer explained that a mechanism to check the sale of the fertiliser had been instituted through the inspection of fertiliser sacks in relation to the quantity given to each farmer.

“If the fertiliser sacks fall below the required number given to the farmers, those farmers are reported to the Police for arrest,” he stated.

He hinted that the fertiliser was given irrespective of one’s political, religious, and tribal affiliation.