The Cocoa Health and Extension Division,under the Ghana COCOBOD has launched this year’s cocoa pruning initiative across the country.
That of Dunkwa in the Upper Denkyira East, in the Central Region took off at Amisah Krom in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality.
The launch was held at one Nana Sebeh’s farm in the Amisah Krom.
He has about 25 acres of cocoa farm and adheres to the directives of CHED.
The event was graced by the Dunkwa District Cocoa officer, Mr Peter Arthur, District Extension Coordinator, Mr Kofi Agyeman Gyau, operational area extension agents, cooperative farmers, chief farmers, and the Deputy Western South regional manager, Mr Felix Kwame Quainoo.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Arthur said, with the cooperation of his able extension agents and the farmers, they will maintain their first position in the region, and the second position in the whole country.
He said, they have been given an estimated hector of 9,410.44 but have decided to prune about 15,000 hectares this year.
The Ghana COCOBOD have decided to make every competent farmer accrue 10 bags of cocoa per acre in the 2024/2025 Cocoa season.
According to the institution, the 2023/2024 Cocoa crop season witnessed a shortfall production.
Mr Peter Arthur further said, they have launched what is called, “Operation Visit All Farms” in the Dunkwa District to monitor the exercise and to also gather the farmers grievances and find a lasting solutions for them.
“The COCOBOD is prepared for this year’s pruning exercise and provision for all inputs for the pruning is underway while the Mass Spraying Teams have been also trained as a back up effort to help the various cooperatives responsible for the exercise,”he added.
The farmers and the cooperatives however vowed to make the initiative effective and promise to work efficiently.
Finally the deputy Western South regional manager, Mr Quainoo assured the farmers that, all the necessary agro inputs like the liquid fertilizer, flower inducers including others are ready at their offices awaiting the farmers.
Mr Quainoo further said the farmers may train their children on the pruning but should make sure they are 18 years and above to avoid the consequences of child labour.
He called on the farmers to desist from using their wards in farming work during school time.
The female farmers who were present at the launching shared their gratitude and amusement to the officials as they encouraged their neighbors into the cocoa agriculture business.
