Chief cocoa farmer lauds govt's housing scheme

Techiman (B/A), Sept. 16, GNA - Nana Appiah Zakaria, Odikro of Atia in the Techiman District of Brong-Ahafo Region and a prominent cocoa farmer has commended the government for instituting a housing scheme for cocoa farmers.

He said the housing scheme was an attestation of government's recognition of sacrifices and commitment cocoa farmers were making towards the economy of Ghana.

Nana Zakaria, who is also the 2002 best cocoa farmer for the Techiman district made the commendation in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Techiman.

He called on the government to extend the scheme to other cocoa growing areas in the country to enable more farmers to benefit from the scheme.

Nana Zakaria also expressed his appreciation to the mass cocoa spraying exercise but urged the government to include a new chemical called "cabamult" for the control of capsid diseases on cocoa.

He said "cabamult" is a very good chemical that could control and kill all insects on cocoa ensure good yield.

Nana Zakaria however, appealed to the government and the district assembly to rehabilitate the Bianshewo cocoa shed that was ripped off some years ago during a rainstorm.

Mr Atta Fosu, Secretary to the Odikro stressed the need for the Agricultural Extension Officers to visit cocoa farmers regularly to interact with them to enable the farmers to appreciate scientific farming.