Kuntanase (Ash), July 27, GNA- Cocoa farmers in the country have been asked to support gangs who would be expected to spray cocoa farms in August this year to ensure a bumper harvest. Even though it is the responsibility of members of the groups to spray the farms, providing them with working items including water and motivating them could ensure effectiveness of the exercise. Dr. Anthony Richmond Cudjoe, acting Head of the Entomology Division of Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, said these when he demonstrated to cocoa farmers how to use "Akate Master', a new chemical for controlling cocoa pest at Kuntanase in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District on Thursday.

He said the new chemical, found to be more efficacious has come to replace 'Cocoa Star' which had been rejected by some countries because it contained pirimiphos methyl, which was not environmentally friendly. Dr. Cudjoe said after six years trials in the country, 'Akate Master' was being introduced in the Ashanti Region to control cocoa insects and pests and not diseases. Mr. Kofi Tekpor, Ministry of Food and Agriculture Officer in charge of Cocoa Spraying in the District, urged the spraying gangs to work assiduously to boost cocoa production. He appealed to cocoa farmers to clear their farms of weeds to enhance spraying.