Sefwi Agyemandiem (W/R), Jan. 15, GNA - Nana Yaw Gyabeng II, Chief of Sefwi Agyemandiem, has commended the government for increasing the producer price of cocoa from GHC 138 to GHC 150. The increase he said would help to reduce smuggling of cocoa to neighbouring Cote d'Ivoire.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Sefwi Agyemandiem, Nana Gyabeng said though the increase did not favour some farmers as they had already sold their produce, it would reduce the smuggling of the commodity.

The Chief, a leading cocoa farmer, appealed to other cocoa farmers to take advantage of the increase and desist from the unpatriotic practice to enable the government to achieve its export target. Nana Gyabeng noted the government was determined to help improve the general well-being of cocoa farmers and appealed to the farmers to support and co-operate with the government to enhance the cocoa industry.

He called on the government to continue to subsidize inputs, especially fertilizer, to help the farmers increase their yield.