A two-week healthy-cocoa campaign by YARA Ghana has been launched at Dunkwa-on-Offin in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality of the Central Region.

The annual training course includes workshops, farmer forums, radio talk-shows, and will focus on educating over 2,400 cocoa farmers in 16 districts on best farm-practices including proper fertilizer application for improved cocoa yield in the country. Unveiling the training programme, YARA Ghana Retail Sales Manager Mr. Henry Otoo-Mensah said the increased use of fertilizer combined with proper farm management practices will push Ghana’s cocoa production upward.

He stressed that YARA Ghana understands the needs of farmers with the introduction of the Nitrabor and Asaasewura fertilizers to help improve cocoa yields, translating into more income for them. “The Asaasewura and Nitrabor fertilizers have the potential to significantly reduce the risk of cocoa plants to the black pod disease and any other stress that threatens cocoa growth and production.

“At YARA, we do not only sell fertilizers, but we also deliver the knowledge that empowers the farmer to make the appropriate choice of fertilizer based on the complete knowledge of his crop to enable him realise maximum yields,” he added. He explained that Ghanaian farmers need seeds, fertilizers, and other farm inputs that are accessible and affordable -- facilities must be in place for farmers’ production and post-harvest needs -- YARA is committed to support the development of Ghana’s agricultural sector and food production, and in addition invest across the agricultural value chain.

Mr. Peter Owusu-Ashia Jnr, Mmunicipal Chief Executive of Upper Denkyira East Municipal Assembly, said there is great need for public private partnerships to develop the cocoa subsector. He mentioned that such collaborations will translate into greater benefits for farmers, thereby contributing immensely to poverty alleviation efforts of Government and the private sector.

He praised YARA Ghana for its consistency in getting close to farmers in the country with their training programmes, and hoped it will continue to help Ghanaian farmers realise the full potentials of their hard work.

YARA, the world's leading producer and marketer of mineral fertilizers since its establishment in Ghana in 2007, continues to strengthen the quality and depth of input supply and related services along agricultural value chains to increase the productivity of Ghanaian farmers.