Business News of Thursday, 22 June 2017

Source: classfmonline.com

Don't stop selling fertiliser to us: Cocoa farmers

Labourers at a cocoa industry Labourers at a cocoa industry

The Ghana Cocoa, Coffee and Shea nut Farmers Association has welcomed the move by government to sell fertilisers to cocoa farmers at a subsidised price.

According to the association, the move will bring an end to the situation where some farmers complain of not receiving the fertilisers allocated them.

Farmers have over the years complained that the distribution of free fertiliser was unreliable and unfair as the fertiliser went to supporters of the sitting government. According to them, due to corruption, some of the fertiliser also find its way to neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso and Togo.

To this end, the Secretary of the Ghana Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Farmers Association has welcomed the new policy of farmers purchasing fertilisers at a subsidised price.

He told Moro Awudu, host of the Executive Breakfast Show (EBS) on Class91.3FM on Thursday, 22 June, 2017 that “Government has assured that fertilisers are going to be sold to us at subsidised prices. I think to subsidise it means it will be at the doorstep of the farmers. I think it’s a good idea, at least it will reduce the stress and complaints that some [farmers] do not get the fertilisers and all the politics... At least [the fertilisers] will be at the doorstep of the farmers. The concern of the association is that farmers should be able to get this input on time so that we can apply. This is our concern.”