Cocoa farmers advised to used scientific methods

Twifo Nyinase (C/R), Aug. 16, GNA - Mr Emmanuel Agyei, Quality Control Officer in charge of Twifo Nyinase on Monday appealed to cocoa farmers in the Twifo-Heman-Lower-Denkyira District of the Central Region to use scientific methods in planting.

This, he said, would enable them to produce high quality cocoa and increase production.

Mr Agyei was addressing more than 300 farmers and agents of buying companies at farmers' forum, organised by the quality control unit. The objective of the forum was to educate them on purple beans and the use of chemicals for spraying.

Mr Agyei said it was through improper fermentation that the beans turn into purple colour.

They should therefore harvest the cocoa on time to avoid over-ripped pods.

Mr Agyei also advised them to ferment cocoa for seven days by turning it twice before sending it to the drying mats. He advised them to refrain from plucking unripe pods during harvesting as it turned out slaty beans that were unaccepted by the CMB. Nana Kofi Ayensu, a cocoa farmer and Odikro of Nyinase on behalf of farmers appealed to cocoa Marketing Board to ensue that, they award CMB scholarships to the children of real farmers and not their favourites. According to the chief, even though they contribute immensely to cocoa industry their children hardly benefit from the scholarship scheme.

Earlier Mr Yaw Agyeibi-Kessie, the District Chief Executive has advised the farmers in the district to refrain from using children as farm labourers on their farms. 16 Aug. 05