Assin Sienchem (C/R), Aug.10, GNA – The Central Regional Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Unit of Cocoboard has embarked on a programme to replace diseased and aged cocoa trees with free hybrid seedlings.

Mr Samuel Ankamah, Head of the Unit who made this known at a cocoa farmers rally at Assin Sienchem, cautioned farmers to maintain regular contact with their extension officers so that they could identify problems before the cocoa trees are attacked by pests and others diseases.

He said over-grown farms did not produce yield high and also stand the risk of being attacked by Anunuom.

He appealed to the farmers to keep their Ago-Chemicals away from children since it is highly dangerous and poisonous to human health.

Mr Ankamah took the farmers through a variety of topics including the proper ways of planting the cocoa seedlings, rehabilitating farms and the description of the newly introduced hybrid cocoa seedling called Akokroabedzebe.

He said extension officers of the Unit have been sent to the area and urged them form groups to enable them receive instructions on the modern ways of cocoa farming.

Mr Felix Quainoo, Assin District Extension Coordinator, advised the farmers to desist from engaging children as farm labourers because it is against the rules of the cocoa industry.

He said children are the future leaders and they are entitled to have access to education.

Nana Ofori, Central Regional Cocoa Chief Farmer, said a new chemical called Confidor Oteq has been approved by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana and it is suitable for cocoa farms.

He advised farmers to follow the approved six days fermentation and drying period to enable them produce good quality cocoa beans.

Nana Ofori said shorter periods of fermentation results in producing a high percentage of purple beans and appealed to farmers to adhere to the laid down rules to help save the cocoa industry.

Mr Ebenezer B. Quaye, Assin District Quality Cocoa Control Manager, advised the farmers to regularly harvest ripe cocoa pods on the trees to prevent them from being infested with a disease.