Mampong (Ash), Nov 1, GNA - Mr Augustine Yao Boglo, the Mampong District Manager of the Produce Buying Company (PBC) of the Ghana cocoa Board (COCOBOD), at the weekend said the government's cocoa spraying and the hi-tech programmes were aimed at optimal and sustainable production of the crop.

He, therefore, called on cocoa farmers to support the exercise to enable them to increase yield to enable them earn more income to improve upon their standards of living.

Mr Boglo, who was speaking at a Farmers Awards Day for PBC farmers in the Sekyere West district at Asante-Mampong of the Ashanti Region, also urged the farmers to re-organise and strengthen their associations or societies to attract loans from the banks towards the expansion of their farms.

Mr Kofi Kutsoati, the Deputy Regional manager of the PBC, said the company had supported the government in revamping the cocoa industry towards economic growth.

He gave the assurance that the company would continue to support education by awarding scholarships to the children and wards of cocoa farmers.

Mr Kutsoati asked the farmers to insist on the use of Akuafo Cheques for the payment of cocoa purchased from them to prevent purchasing clerks from cheating them.

One hundred framers who were honoured received two pairs of Wellington boots, four cutlasses, a lantern and a certificate each. Mr Kofi Akuoko, who emerged the District Best Cocoa Farmer, on behalf of his colleagues thanked the PBC for rewarding gesture. Mr Thomas Atakorah, the Sekyere West District Chief Executive, called for peace, before, during and after the December polls.