Atakrom (V/R), Dec. 22, GNA - Two new cocoa nurseries are to be set up at New Ayoma and New Baika in the Jasikan District to produce improved variety of cocoa seedlings for distribution to farmers. This would ensure that the once prolific cocoa growing area regained its past glory.

Mr Solomon Donkor, District Chief Executive of Jasikan announced this at the just ended 19th National Farmers Day rally at Atakrom, near Jasikan.

He said hybrid variety of cocoa seedlings would be raised to enable farmers to replant their old farms to increase their production and to put more in their pockets to reduce poverty.

The announcement received a prolong applause from the farmers, who saw the move as a need which they have waited for far too long for since their old farms were crying for rehabilitation.

The farmers said the establishment of the nurseries close to them would save them the trouble of travelling the circuitous journey from Baika and New Ayoma to Jasikan to procure their cocoa seedlings. Mr Victor Boame, a 52 year-old farmer of Okajakrom, near Jasikan was declared the overall district best farmer for cultivating about 16 hectares of citrus, mangoes, cocoa, cocoyam and rice farm. He also has 50 goats and 22 beehives.

He received a bicycle, knapsack sprayer, a radio cassette, six cutlasses a half piece of cloth and a pair of Wellington boots. Madam Mercy Azameti of Atakrom was adjudged the best district woman farmer and she received a hand pump, radio cassette, a sewing machine, four hoes and six cutlasses.

She cultivated groundnuts, maize, cassava, cocoyam and pepper. The district best youth farmer was 18 years old Miss Bridget Afun of Kwamikrom. She cultivated garden eggs, pepper and maize and took home a hand pump, half piece of cloth, radio cassette, four cutlasses and a pair of Wellington boots.

In all 23 farmers received prizes.