Research to increase cocoa production in the country

Mankranso (Ash), Oct 27, GNA 96 The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), in conjunction with the University of Ghana, Legon and the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) are to help in the increase of cocoa production through research and loans to farmers as from December this year.

In this direction, cocoa farmers will be given agro-chemicals, fertilisers, technology, labour support and cash for the rehabilitation of their farms to enable them to increase production and high yields. Mr Alfred Amo, the Ahafo-Ano South District Director of MOFA, made this known at a meeting with 50 cocoa farmers at Mankranso on Thursday.

He urged the farmers to observe the rules governing the project by adopting the new methods of farming in order to ensure the success of the programme and also as a justification for more assistance from the government.

Mr Amo called for co-operation, hard work, honesty and transparency for the success of the programme and advised the farmers to repay the loans as their failure would deprive others from benefiting from the programme.

Mr Mark Kwasi Zormelo, an official of the district directorate of MOFA, who is the Project Co-ordinator, urged the farmers to organise themselves in groups of 10 and 12 members to enable them secure loans from the financial institutions. Nana Akwasi Amoateng, the District Chief Farmer, commended the government for the programme which would help reduce poverty among farmers. 28 Oct. 06