Cocoa farmers to be assisted to maintain their farms

Kwapong (B/A), April 21, GNA- Wienco Ghana Limited, manufacturers of fertilizer and cocoa fungicides, has in conjunction with the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) at Kwapong in Asunafo district of Brong Ahafo, launched a programme, dubbed "Cocoa Abrabopa", under which cocoa farmers would be assisted to maintain their farms. These include advocacy sessions to sensitise cocoa farmers and the timetable for effective application of fertilizer, insecticides and fungicides to enhance yield.

Two hundred and fifty cocoa farmers participated in the one-day launch, attended by officials of the two bodies.

Launching the programme, Mr. Owusu Gyasi, Technical Director of Wienco in charge of Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions, advised cocoa farmers to apply the approved and effective chemicals to their crops to boost production.

He urged the farmers to complement efforts by the government through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture towards food security in the country.

The Technical Director asked the farmers to avoid unproductive traditional methods of agriculture and embrace improved practices for good results.

Mr. Gyasi pledged that Wienco would do its best to contribute to the success of cocoa farmers in the country.

He entreated the farmers to keep faith with the company and make maximum use of its products and programmes for maximum benefits. Nana Yaw Boateng, Acting District Chief Farmer, expressed the farmers' gratitude to the company for the new product but appealed to the Agricultural Development Bank to grant loans to the farmers in the form of inputs for the maintenance of their farms.

He explained that the inputs, unlike fiscal cash, would not be abused by the farmers but would be applied for the intended purposes.