'Caterpillar' attacks Cocoa pods in Bibiani

QA strange cocoa disease called 'Caterpillar' has attacked cocoa pods in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso Bekwai District.

As a rresult of this, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Bibiani-Anhwiaso Bekwai District, Mr. Kingsley Adjei-Manu, sent an SOS message to the Chief Executive of cocoabod for assistance in the areas of insecticides and machines to embark on mass spraying of cocoa farms in the affected areas.

The Chief Executive of cocoabod, Mr. Isaac Osei, swiftly responded to the SOS message and sent a team of experts from Cocoa Research Institute at Tafo to undertake the Mass spraying exercise.

The Mass spraying exercise began on Thursday 20th April, 2006.

Launching the programme, Mr. Adjei-Manu thanked the Chief Executive of Cocoabod for responding swiftly to the request of the assembly to embark on the mass spraying exercise.

He commended the Agricultural Extension Officers and farmers who detected the strange disease for promptly bringing to his attention the occurrence of the disease.

Mr. Kigsley Adjei-Manu, also advised farmers in the district who detect any such disease to report to his office or the Agricultural Extension officers in their areas for prompt action to be taken.

He also appealed to farmers in adjoining districts to report the occurrences of any strange cocoa disease to their District Chief Executives or the Department of Agriculture in the district.