Kwaham-Nkwanta (E/R), Aug 12, GNA - The Director of Cocoa Research Institute at Akyem Tafo in the Eastern Region, Dr Michael K. Appiah, said on Tuesday that farmers who cultivate cocoa seedlings and distribute them to farmers for planting should be encouraged to boost their morale. Speaking after inspecting 135,000 cocoa seedlings and 32,000 orange seedlings cultivated by Mr Joseph Kwaku Kwaw, a farmer of Kwaham-Nkwanta

in the West Akyem District, he said since cocoa is the bedrock of the country's economy assistance should be given to farmers who cultivate seedlings on large scale for other farmers to plant. Dr Appiah, who said he was impressed with the work of Mr. Kwaw, gave the assurance that he will contact the Seed Production Unit of the COCOBOD for assistance to enable him to sustain the project. He, however, advised him to engage a Technical Officer who will give technical advice on the project as well as to the farmers who buy the seedlings.

Mr Kwaw said his initiative was to supply the seedlings at cheaper prices to farmers at their doorsteps for planting. He said the seedlings that were nursed six months ago would take between 18 to 24 months to produce. He will monitor farms of farmers who bought the seedlings to see how best they are maturing and also give them technical assistances.

Mr Kwaw mentioned lack of loan facility, cost of labour and erection of sheds for the nursing as some of his problems and appealed to the government and financial institutions for assistance.