Ho, July 13, GNA - Many peasant farmers in the Ho Central Constituency have turned to cocoa farming with a total of 150 farmers having already planted 20,000 cocoa seedlings. This was after officials from COCOBOD organized sensitization seminars for them on the benefits of planting cocoa, through the help of Captain George Nfodjoh (Rtd.), Member of Parliament for the Constituency.

Another group of more than 80 farmers including chiefs and young people attended another sensitization seminar on Wednesday as they prepare to take to cocoa farming. They will also be given 20,000 cocoa seedlings for planting after preparing their lands. Mr Daniel Tetteh, Chief Technical Assistant of COCOBOD stationed at Saviefe, a cocoa growing area in the Ho Municipal Area, urged the farmers to observe all cultural practices so they could harvest all year round.

"You have to spray and prune regularly for higher yields," he said= .. Mr Tetteh asked them to contact the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease Control Office regularly for advice. Capt. Nfodjoh said the initiative was to help reduce poverty and empower the farmers to be able to educate their children. He advised the farmers to protect their farms against bushfires. Capt. Nfodjoh said the programme would be expanded from 40,000 seedlings to 100,000 seedlings next year and appealed to COCOBOD to support the initiative.