Farmers urged to increase yield (PAGE 22, JULY 10, 2010)

Story: Joe Okyere, Agona NyakroM

THE Executive Director of the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease Control Unit (CSSVDCU), Reverend Kweku Abaka-Ewusi has advised cocoa farmers to take advantage of the government’s interventions in the sector to increase their yield.
Rev. Abaka-Ewusi said government had put in place a package to assist cocoa farmers to increase their yield for the country to achieve its target of one million tonnes by 2012.
The interventions include mass spraying, introduction of cocoa extension services, new agro practices and methods, supply of pods and seedlings, high technology and the cutting of all diseased trees, as well as compensation to the affected farmers, among others.
Addressing a forum at Agona Nyarkrom in the Central Region, Rev. Abaka-Ewusi, said the government had decided to cut all diseased trees within the next four years.
He said in order to speed up the cutting of the diseased trees, the government has invited chainsaw operators to sign up to the programme and take up contracts with the CSSVDCU to avoid clashes with the forestry division for illegal logging.
Rev. Ewusi-Abaka said government had also introduced alternative livelihood such as snail farming, bee-keeping, mushroom cultivation,grass cutter raring, fish farming, among others to sustain the farmers’ incomes during the period of replanting their farms.
He also advised them to clear the farms of mistletoes and that those who refuse to clear their farms of diseases will be compelled to do so.
He also asked the farmers to form watchdog committees to monitor smuggling along the country’s borders.
The Executive Director said in order to curb smuggling, farmers have been advised to sell their cocoa beans only to licensed buyers in their respective districts. 
Mr Samuel Asare Ankamah of the CSSVDCU urged farmers to contact cocoa stations located within their vicinity for advice and further called on them to set up community nurseries to replant their farms.
Mr Ankamah said the package also involved cross cutting issues such as HIV AIDS and the elimination of child labour on cocoa farms.