Akuafo Anigye Young Cocoa Farmers Association has recorded a total of 12,000 members.

This was made known at the first anniversary celebration of the association at New Edubiase in the Ashanti region.

Delivering a speech on behalf of the Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Francis Baah, Executive Director of Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), called on the youth to venture into farming to improve their livelihoods.

He urged the young cocoa farmer groups to work hard and assured that COCOBOD will continue to support them with necessary inputs.

‘So far, farm lands of 1754 farmers in the New Edubiase municipality have been measured and 500 trained in livestock rearing to enhance their incomes’, Dr Baah added.

Dr. Baah entreated the farmer groups to register at the district cocoa offices for their farms to be measured to offer them the opportunity to access the free hybrid seedlings and free fertilizers to improve their yields.

Hon Abraham Adusei, President of World Cocoa Farmers Organisation (WCFO) and 2013 National Best Cocoa Farmer, called on the young farmers to concentrate on cocoa cultivation as Ghana’s crop enjoys premium quality on the world cocoa market. “Dedication to cocoa farming will increase your revenues for improved livelihoods”, he added.

Mr. Evans Tagbor, President of Akuafo Anigye Young Cocoa Farmers Association declared that the group was formed to encourage the youth to go into cocoa cultivation, as a means to increase their revenues, access inputs, share knowledge and act as a cooperative to access funds from financial institutions to increase production.

“The association brings us together to share ideas on good agronomic practices (GAPS) and learn new trends in cocoa farming”, Mr Tagbor added.

The association through its own resources has purchased automated pruning machines, trimmers and spraying machines for use on members’ farms. Spraying and weeding gangs were inaugurated during the event.