Hohoe, Nov. 17, GNA-At least 1,000 tonnes of cocoa produced in the Volta region found its way into neighbouring Togo every cocoa season through smuggling, Mr Kwasi Bediako-Addey, Volta Regional Manager of the Produce Buying Company (PBC) said on Friday.

Mr Bediako-Addey was speaking at the PBC's annual Best Cocoa Farmers Awards Day celebration at Hohoe, where 25 farmers societies and individuals were honoured for their sterling contributions to the cocoa industry in the region.

Nana Adjei Kramo, the Regional Best Farmer emerged as the Best Cocoa Farmer with Mr Harry Y. Gyambiby and Mr George Yiboe both from the Kadjebi District being adjudged the first and second runners-up respectively.

They received radio cassette players, solar torchlights, cutlasses, Wellington boots and certificates.

Mr Bediako-Addey said his outfit, in collaboration with District Assemblies along the country's frontier with Togo and security agencies were strategizing to combat the "nation-wrecking crime" and warned that culprits would be dealt with according to law. Mr Anthony Osei Boakye, Managing Director of PBC Limited said the Company was holding discussions with some consultants on the government's Millennium Challenge Accounts to enable PBC registered farmers to register to access the funds to develop the cocoa industry. He disclosed that PBC was liaising with Data Bank to assist farmers through education and investment options in the management of their incomes.

Mr Boakye said cocoa farmers registered with the PBC have increased from 300 in 2001 to 1,648.

He appealed to the farmers to strictly adhere to laid-down processes in handling their cocoa beans so as to maintain the premium quality of the country's cocoa.

Mr John Peter Amewu, Hohoe District Chief Executive urged the cocoa farmers to complement government's goodwill towards them by helping to stamp out cocoa snuggling.