Importance of Pruning for Cocoa Farmers to Maximize Yield
Cocoa farmers have been urged to prioritize the pruning of their farms to maximize their crop yield, increase bean production, and prevent diseases and pests. According to Mr. Ebenezer Agyin, Ashanti Regional Manager, Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) of the COCOBOD, effective pruning exercises carried out by the COCOBOD across Ghana have led to a cocoa production rate of 1,000,000 metric tones in 2021.
Speaking to the Susu Biribi Women in Cocoa Association at Kwamang in the Afigya Kwabre North District in the Ashanti Region, Mr. Agyin said that the COCOBOD is poised to support farmers with the required technical expertise to enhance crop yields in the 2023 season. He presented quantities of chocolate products to the farmers, which were made available by the World Cocoa Foundation, an international membership organization promoting sustainability in the cocoa sector, and the COCOBOD.
Mr. Agyin added that the COCOBOD is also providing farmers with fuel to operate motorized sprayers to enhance effective spraying exercises against insects and other cocoa diseases. He noted that the COCOBOD will engage affected farmers directly in on-farm rehabilitation exercises under the cocoa swollen shoot virus disease, instead of relying on rehabilitation assistants, whose absenteeism has left most farms abandoned.
Madam Christiana Amponsah, Ashanti Regional Coordinator for Gender, CHED, highlighted that women play a significant role in cocoa production, and it is important to recognize their contribution.
She said that carrying women along the cocoa value chain is critical to ensuring a sustainable increase in production.
Madam Mary Blankson, Financial Secretary to the Susu Biribi Women in Cocoa Association, commended the COCOBOD for presenting the products to the Association and called on the government to provide farming incentives continually to support farmers and boost production.