Regional News of Sunday, 15 June 2003

Source: gna

New technology for cocoa production launched in East Akim

A new technology, which would help cocoa farmers in East Akim District to increase their yield had been launched at Kibi in the Eastern Region.

The system requires farmers to apply 'Akuafo Adamfo' fertilizer and healthy farming practices on their farms.

Explaining the new method to cocoa farmers in the East Akim District, Mr. J. E. Sarfo of the Cocoa Research Institute (CRI), Tafo, said farmers are required to apply three bags of the cocoa fertilizer on an acre of farm.

He said a bag of the fertilizer cost 200,000 cedis and that it would be given to farmers on credit for them to pay at the next cocoa season after selling their produce.

Mr. Safo said under the pilot project, some cocoa farms in twenty communities would be selected and six bags of the fertilizer would be given to every farmer for cultivation of the crop and that the project would start by the middle of the month.

The East Akim District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. Emmanmuel Victor Asihene called on the farmers to embrace the new technology to enable them to increase their wealth.