Juaso (Ash), April 18, GNA - About 70 cocoa farmers in the Asante-Akim South District have been sensitized on the identification and control of cocoa black pod disease at a forum at Juaso. The forum was organised by the Cocoa Research Institute, Ghana (CRIG) in collaboration with three chemical manufacturing companies as part of efforts to effectively control the disease.

The companies are Dizengoff Ghana Limited, Chemico Ghana Limited and Wienco Ghana Limited, whose chemicals have been approved by CRIG to fight the disease. The educated the farmers on the proper application of the chemicals. The chemicals are Kocide, Nordox-WG as well as Ridomil 66 Gold WP.

Dr Francis Baah of the Social Science Unit of CRIG, entreated the farmers to patronize only approved fungicides by his outfit to ensure effective control of the disease. Dr Baah noted that the application of fertilizer would not increase their yield if the black pod disease was not adequately controlled and urged the farmers to strictly adhere to the approved fungicides.

Mr Michael Assuah, a Pathologist at CRIG, said researchers over the years had still not discovered a fungicide that would entirely eliminate the black pod disease and that those approved could only control them and urged farmers to adhere to instructions for their application in order to achieve results.

He advised the farmers to allow more sun and air into their farms since too much shade could help spread the disease to other trees.