Government Subsidises Hi-Tech Fertiliser for Cocoa Farmers

The announcement by the Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod) in a statement signed by the Chief Executive, Mr Tony Fofie, that the price of hi-tech fertiliser has been pegged at GH 33.00 representing a government subsidy of 45.79% is a welcome news.

The government through the Cocobod has chalked greater successes in the develoment of the cocoa sector. The latest of such achievements is the 45.97% subsidy on fertiliser as announced by the cocobod. The announcement pegging the price of the hi-tech fertiliser at GH33.00 cedis is in line with the government's commitment to farmers to support them produce more cocoa for both local and the international market.

The last three years has witnessed a remarkable increase in production which made it possible for the sector to achieve 1 million metric tonnes even before the targetted date. The COCOBOD did assure Ghanaians earlier last year that the target of 1million metric tonnes production of cocoa is achievable, and indeed they have exceeded it.

Cocoa farmers also had an unprecedented increase in producer price. Producer price was increased to GHc150 in 2009 and to GHc200 in 2010 up on previous year.

The government of Ghana's pledge to pay bonuses twice a year to cocoa farmers came to fruition when, last year, the management of COCOBOD released twenty-three million, five hundred and seventy-eight thousand, sixty-one Ghana cedis, eighteen pesewas (GHc23,578,061.18) to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to pay cocoa farmers the second tranche for the 2009/2010 crop season.

Mr Tony Fofie, the Chief Executive of Cocobod, attributed the successes his out -fit has chalked over the years to the support from the cocoa farmers, the government and other major stakeholders including the hardworking staff of the Cocobod.

According to him, the record production "has been as a result of the collective effort by government, farmers, COCOBOD, Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and other stakeholders in the industry through adherence to good agronomic practices, payment of remunerative producer price, application of fertilizers, disease and pest control, use of hybrid cocoa seedlings and scientific research,"

What is remarkable about the cocoa sector is the increase in production with a corresponding increase in quality cocoa beans, thus exceeding the set- standard of quality cocoa beans on the world market.

Indeed, the other leading cocoa producing countries, Peru and Ivory Coast, will soon be caught off-guard by the sheer high level of cocoa production and the quality of Ghana's cocoa beans. If the cocoa sector continues to receive support from the government and other major stakeholders, Ghana will soon assume its place as the leading cocoa producing country in the world.

By: Seidu Kpebu/GFM Radio