Cocoa production to record low output this year

Cocoa production in the country is likely to register a record low output this year and beyond as a result of a severe drought experienced across the country particularly in the major cocoa producing regions.

The long drought has killed most plantations thereby forcing the affected farmers to either abandon the farms or replace the farms with other cash crops such as maize and plantain.

Farmers have therefore appealed to COCOBOD to quickly roll out effective interventions to address the challenges. 

Radio Ghana's visit to some of the farms at Campkrom, Pewodie, Asukesi, Anitemfe, and Aninasuso in the Ahafo Ano North and South Districts of Ashanti indicates that the farmers are waiting for advice from COCOBOD. 

The farmers say this year’s drought is the worst ever to have been experienced apart from the 1983 drought which saw most of the farms being burnt by fire. 

A cocoa farmer at Pewodie Yusif Salifu called on research scientists from the Cocoa and  Crops Research Institutes to come to their aid.  

A Cocoa Purchasing Clerk at Anyinasuso Frank Boakye appealed to COCOBOD to speed up action on the supply of the cocoa seedlings and fertilizers to farmers who are interested in replanting their cocoa farms. 


GBC