The CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board Joseph Boahen Aidoo has urged farmers to hold on to their farms instead of giving it to galamsey operators.
He said money paid to farmers is just for a short period whereas cocoa gives a lifetime source of revenue to the farmers and their families.
Mr Aidoo made the appeal at Anyinasi in the Western region when he interacted with Chiefs and Cocoa farmers as part of his tour to cocoa communities in the region.
The Cocobod Chief Executive announced that there are a number of measures being rolled out to improve cocoa production per hectare.
However, he was worried about the situation where most young persons are shying away from cocoa farming, a situation he believes must change.
According to him, the status quo will be reversed once farmers realized the benefits from the various initiatives being rolled out in the sector.
The Chief of Anyinasi Nana Astu Panyin reported the CODAPEC officials to the COCOBOD boss over the way they distribute chemicals to the farmers.
He was full of praise to the CEO for introducing the hand pollination exercise, which he said was yielding results, but quickly added that when COCOBOD roll out the second phase they should consider employing people from the area.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
