Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), recently engaged with cocoa farmers in the Central Region to inspire and educate them on best practices for increasing cocoa yields.

The meetings, held at two separate durbars in Gomoa Afransi and Ajumako, were attended by over 500 farmers following Mr. Aidoo’s visit to farms in the Armah, Jacob, and Sampreko communities.

During his visit, Mr. Aidoo observed that many farmers were not maximizing their yield potential, producing an average of three to four bags per hectare instead of the possible ten bags. “Ordinarily, farmers shouldn’t have less than 1,000 kilograms (10 bags) per hectare, but observed that farmers are doing 450kg to 600kg (4.5 to six bags), which is very low,” he noted.

Mr. Aidoo identified outdated farming practices as a major contributor to the low yields. He specifically addressed the practice of slash and burn, urging farmers to abandon this method. “After weeding, don’t burn it; both the weeds and the branches of the pruned trees are food for the soil,” he advised.

Mr. Aidoo emphasized that burning destroys essential microorganisms in the soil, which are crucial for providing nutrients to cocoa trees. Additionally, the use of harmful weedicides like ‘run up’ and ‘condemn’ (glyphosate) was criticized for killing these microorganisms and depleting soil nutrients, ultimately reducing crop yields.

Health Risks Associated With Chemicals

The CEO also highlighted the health risks associated with these chemicals. He explained that when cocoa and other food crops absorb these chemicals, they are transferred to the fruits consumed by humans, potentially causing liver and kidney cancers. As a safer alternative, Mr. Aidoo recommended using poultry manure and mulch made from weeds and pruned branches.

Pruning was another key practice emphasized by Mr. Aidoo. He advised farmers to regularly prune their cocoa trees to enable them to bear flowers, which is essential for the trees’ survival and fruit production. Pruning also helps prevent pest attacks, ensuring healthier crops.

The farmers took the opportunity to express their needs to the COCOBOD team, appealing for good road networks, affordable spraying machines, and approved fertilizers. In response, Mr. Aidoo acknowledged their requests and promised that COCOBOD would reach out to farmers through its cocoa clinic within two months to provide screenings and assistance, particularly to extension officers.

The durbar served as a platform for intensified public education on modern and acceptable farming practices. It allowed for the assessment of the effectiveness of extension officers and government interventions, highlighting areas where more support and education are needed to boost cocoa yields.

Mr. Aidoo underscored the importance of communicating technical information in local languages to ensure farmers fully understand and implement the recommended practices. “The officers themselves learn a few communication techniques through the presentations and public fora to complement their predominantly English language technical work,” he added.

The CEO’s engagement with the farmers reflects COCOBOD’s commitment to improving cocoa production in Ghana. By educating farmers on sustainable and effective farming practices, COCOBOD aims to enhance the productivity and profitability of cocoa farming, benefiting both the farmers and the country’s economy.

With proper guidance and support, Ghanaian cocoa farmers can significantly increase their yields, contributing to the growth and sustainability of the cocoa industry.