More than 11,000 cocoa farmers in the Nkawie District of the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality are set to receive free fertiliser inputs from May this year under the Ghana Cocoa Board’s (COCOBOD) Free Fertilisers Year (FFY) programme.
The Municipal Cocoa Officer, Nii Noi Kootey, announced that the intervention forms part of COCOBOD’s broader efforts to enhance farm productivity, increase cocoa yields and boost national output while improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
Mr Kootey made this known during a meeting with the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Atwima Nwabiagya South, Mr Wisdom Osei Boamah, at Nkawie.
He explained that the programme is designed to strengthen the cocoa sector by supporting farmers with essential inputs to increase yields and revenues across cocoa-growing communities.
According to him, beneficiary farmers will be drawn from Atwima Nwabiagya South, parts of Atwima Nwabiagya North, Kwanwoma, Atwima Mponua and Amansie West districts.
Each selected farmer will receive three bags of granular fertiliser per acre, along with the appropriate quantity of foliar liquid fertiliser to support healthy cocoa plant growth.
Mr Kootey noted that the intervention targets farmers with matured and productive cocoa farms within the operational areas of the Nkawie Cocoa District.
Mr Boamah commended COCOBOD for complementing government’s efforts to increase cocoa productivity and sustain the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
He described cocoa as the backbone of Ghana’s economy, highlighting its importance to rural livelihoods, urban employment and foreign exchange earnings.
The MCE reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving cocoa production, enhancing quality standards and strengthening the overall economic welfare of cocoa farmers.
He identified good road networks, fair pricing systems, reliable market access and timely provision of farm inputs as critical factors in supporting farmers and sustaining cocoa production.
Mr Boamah also urged cocoa farmers to strictly adhere to recommended agronomic practices provided by Cocoa Extension Agents to ensure the success and long-term impact of the fertiliser support programme.
