The Merchants, Ghana Limited, a cocoa buying company at Nkrankwanta in the Dormaa District of Brong Ahafo has honoured 48 best cocoa farmers in the area for their contributions to the industry.

The theme for the occasion was: "farmers satisfaction through quality services".

Three best farmers were selected from each society and received two welling boots and two cutlasses each as their awards.

Co-ordinator of the company, Mr Tony Amponsah expressed concern about the smuggling of cocoa to other neighbouring countries depriving the nation of her income.

He, therefore, appealed to the people in the area to assist the security officers to address the problem.

Mr Kwasi Addai Mununkum, the Nkrankwanta Area Manager of the company called for a closer co-operation between the farmers and their purchasing clerks at all times.

He urged them to join the anti-smuggling campaign against smuggling of cocoa and other goods.

Nana Oppong Amponsah, the Nkrankwanta Chief Farmer who presided over the function appealed to farmers to take advantage of the mass cocoa praying exercise and increase production.