CHED MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE INSPECTS FARMS IN THE EASTERN REGION

Date: 14th October 2024

The Management Committee of the Cocoa Health & Extension Division (CHED) has conducted a field visit to cocoa farms in the Asamankese and Bawdua Cocoa Districts in the Eastern Region as part of their quarterly review plan.

The purpose of the visit was to assess current production prospects and provide customised solutions to address specific on-farm challenges.

The Chairman of the Committee, Professor Annor Frimpong, expressed satisfaction with the impressive condition of the cocoa trees and encouraged farmers to plant additional economic shade trees to help mitigate the effects of climate change. 

“Cocoa cannot be a driver of deforestation, so continue planting more economic shade trees alongside your cocoa to provide shade and create better environmental conditions for both the cocoa and the climate,” he said.

Professor Annor emphasised that effective pest management is crucial for protecting cocoa pods and called for more intensive measures to minimise their negative impact on productivity. 

He highlighted the importance of timely farm spraying and strict adherence to good agronomic practices as essential strategies for boosting productivity per acre.

 “I urge you to form voluntary spraying gangs to help spray your farms in a contiguous manner, while CHED will provide you with all the chemicals needed to protect the pods on the trees. Without proper pod development, production will decline,” he emphasised.

The Chairman further highlighted the importance of youth in cocoa farming, stating that recent policies and programmes of the board have made cocoa farming more lucrative and attractive.

“I am happy to see more youth present; it shows how the sector has evolved over the years. As cocoa prices continue to appreciate, the lives of cocoa farmers improve, ensuring the sustainability of the sector,” he said.

The Executive Director of CHED, Rev. Edwin Afari, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the farmers for their commitment to adopting best practices that have led to increased cocoa yields. 

He acknowledged that the farmers' hard work and contributions to the sector cannot be overstated. Rev. Afari further noted that the successful implementation of the 4Ps-Pruning, Pollination, Poultry Manure, and Crop Protection was made possible by the farmers' cooperation. 

He encouraged them to continue maintaining high standards, collaborate closely with extension officers, and embrace new technologies to further boost their yields.