Cocoa insects do no come in political party colours
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot

A group of experts in the agro-chemical and cocoa research sectors have observed that the cocoa sector remained critical to the nation’s economy and development and should therefore be handled on a non-partisan basis.

Specifically, the experts advised stakeholders in Ghana’s cocoa industry including political parties of all shades and individual politicians not to introduce any manner of partisan political considerations into issues concerning the national cocoa spraying exercise.

The view of the experts was that insects and fungi which attack and destroy cocoa farms did not come in party colours and did not see the trees or pods they destroy in party colours. Instead, the insects and fungi could attack any farm and put less money into the pockets of individual farmers and the coffers of Ghana.

The experts drawn from the Tema-based agro-chemical manufacturer, Chemico Limited, and the Tafo-based Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana(CRIG) had over the past two months been spreading that appeal as part of their introductory messages to farmers and sprayers who participated in courses focused on cocoa farming technique.

The training course took the experts to 58 cocoa farming districts in six regions-Ashanti, Volta Eastern, Central, Western and Brong Ahafo. A joint team of three Chemico officials and four CGRIG officials trained the farmers and sprayers on the correct application of Chemico-products, particularly Akate Master Insecticide, champion and fungi-kill fungicides and cocoa-feed fertilizer.

Chemico officials involved in the raining were Mr Winfred Tse, Marketing Manager, Mr Gregory Amponfi, Business Development Manager and Mr Kwaku Gyamfi , Area Manager in charge of the Northern sector.

CRIG officials were Dr JY Opoku, National Black Pod Control Coordinator, Dr Ofori Frempong, National Hi-tech Coordinator, Dr A A Afrifa, soil scientist, and Dr A R Cudjoe. Acting Head, Etymology Unit.

A release from Chemic Limited at the end of the training course disclosed that the objective of the exercise was to upgrade the farmers’ and sprayers’ skills on the application of Chemico products as well as benefits of approved cocoa farming practices.

Another general advice from the experts at the various points of call, the release stated was that individual farmers and the nation stood to benefit immensely from the correct application of Chemico insecticides and fungicides, the adoption of a high-tech programs for applying Coca-Feed fertilizer and god cultural practices.

CRIG officials Dr Frempong and Dr Afari for example had told the farmers they could raise cocoa produce to between 25 to 30n bags per acre while the nation could meet its 2010n target of one million metric ton of cocoa production.

The officials also stressed the need for farmers to buy healthy pods from the Cocoa Seeds Producing Unit for the establishment of the nurseries and to keep about six to eight shade tress on each acre of cocoa farm Cocoa farmers, they added, should refrain from the use of fake products which could result in insect and fungi resistance.

Ghanadot