New Edubiase, (Ash), Sept 19, GNA - Licensed Produce Buying Companies (LPBCs) have been urged to get involved in the education of cocoa farmers on the need to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIC).

Mr Ransford Berko, Ashanti Sector Manager of Federated Commodities Buying Company Limited, said a time had come for LPBCs to implore on their district marketing officers and purchasing clerks to educate their customers on the benefits of the scheme to enable more farmers to register.

He was addressing a meeting of the marketing officers of the company at New Edubiase.

Mr Berko appealed to LPBCs to encourage the farmers to use part of their income from the sale of their cocoa beans during the main crop season to pay for their premium.

He said the health of cocoa farmers was very important to the growth and sustenance of the cocoa industry and announced that FEDCO had planned to organise farmers' campaign on the scheme for its customers.