Cocoa farmers in the Western South and Central Regions have been congratulated for the massive pruning of their Cocoa farms.
Pruning of Cocoa trees, according to the Manager at the Western South Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Samuel Ankamah, is one of the best cultural practices, which leads to bumper harvest of Cocoa.
This, he says, is what Cocoa farmers in those areas religiously follow, hence the commendations.
Mr Ankamah made these remarks when he led officials of COCOBOD in Accra to visit Cocoa farms to inspect pruning and educate farmers in the Western South and Central Regions.
Support Government’s effort
He further encouraged Cocoa farmers to support the efforts of COCOBOD in streamlining cultural practices in Cocoa farming.
He adds that all the Cocoa farmers in this jurisdiction have embarked upon weeding, spraying and pruning activities and urged them to always allow sanitation to be sustained on their farms.
On behalf of the Cocoa farmers, Mr Ankanah thanked the COCOBOD for coming to the aid of farmers in the country especially those in his area with the supply of Cocoa spraying machines, standard pruners and slashers, which reduced the human labour involved in Cocoa production.
He says COCOBOD had already supplied Cocoa farmers with fertilizers and chemicals after pruning as a boost to flower formation.
He said even though the number of extension officers for last year was insufficient, the ratio had increased this year leading to pruning of larger portions of Cocoa farms.
COCOBOD impressed
Dr Emmanuel Nii Tackie-Otoo, Executive Director, Cocoa Health and Extension Division at COCOBOD said the team is impressed at the turn of events on Cocoa farms compared to previous pruning activities.
Deputy Chief Executive (DCE) in charge of Agronomy and Quality Control at COCOBOD, Dr Emmanuel Agyemang-Dwomoh said the supply of standard pruning machines, other equipment as well as farm inputs will continue to support Cocoa farmers in order to ensure increased productivity.
He observed that mechanised pruning has been of great help to the farmers and that all the farms inspected indicated that pruning was effectively done.
The national pruning exercise of Cocoa farms, which begun some months ago, will officially end on May 1, 2020.
