Tree Global distributes cocoa seedlings to farmers

Tree Global, a trade organisation in agriculture and forestry, in collaboration with Mondalez International, a chocolate manufacturing company, has distributed 2,500 innovative cocoa seedlings to farmers at Bosuso to boost their production.

As part of the distribution, experts from Tree Global demonstrated how the seedlings should be handled from the removal of the pots to planting to ensure that the tap root is intact and firmly held by the soil.

Mondalez International, a chocolate manufacturing company in the US and biggest buyer of Ghana cocoa has instituted cocoa life communities support project, in seven districts to support farmers to improve their wellbeing especially cocoa production and the welfare of their children.

The districts are: New Juaben, West Akim, Suhum and Fanteakwa in the Eastern Region, Amansie West in the Ashanti Region, Wassa East in the Western Region and Asunafo North in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

As part of the project, Tree Global is being partnered to produce quality and innovative seedlings to farmers that ensure high yields to the “cocoa life” communities where mondalez operates.

The seedlings are nursed in a plastic pots designed to protect the tap root of the seedling instead of the usual polythene to boost production.

The Operations Manager of Tree Global, Mr Nicos Chronaios who explained the new technology in nursing the cocoa seedlings said the pots are environmentally friendly and could be used for at least six years.

He said in order to ensure the full benefits of the roots of the seedlings, a tray has been designed to carry 16 of the plastic pots for easy transportation and handling of the seedlings from their end to the farm sites.

Mr Chronais, said the seedlings are hybrid obtained from the Ghana Cocoa Board and about 100,000 cocoa seedlings would be distributed to cocoa communities in the four districts in the region.

Mr Humphrey Ayisi, Fanteakwa District Cocoa Farmer’s Cooperatives and Marketing Union who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries was thankful for the support.