Cocoa Farmers bemoans fuel shortages

Enchi (W/R), Jan 06, GNA - Some cocoa farmers in the Aowin-Suaman District are alleging that the mass cocoa spraying exercise in the area is being hampered by frequent shortages of fuel used by the spraying machines.

The farmers made the allegation when Mr Alfred Oburoni, the District Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and Mr Joseph Francis Obeng, District Cocoa Officer, visited some communities in the district on Thursday.

The communities included Dadieso, Kwasuo, Obengkrom, Akontombra-Nkwanta, Karlo and Susanso Camp. The rest are Susan Yiwabra, Adjoum, Achimfo, Boinso, Sewum, Yakese, Mile Four, Amonie, Kramokrom and Nyankekemam. The farmers said the cocoa spraying gangs are, however, performing their work satisfactorily.

Mr Samuel Abban, a mechanic in-charge of the spraying machines, confirmed the allegation saying most of the machines are "too old" and have been used for the past four years. He said the fuel consumption of the machines was high and an appeal has been made to the MOFA to replace them with new ones. Mr Obeng, who is the coordinator of the District Cocoa Diseases and Pests Control Project (CODAPEC), said the district has 250 spraying gangs.

Mr Oburoni said the MOFA has supplied 43,000 bags of "HITEC" fertilizer to farmers in the district this season.