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According to him, the cocoa proliferation viral disease (CSSVD) and moribund cocoa farms account for about 40% of the Ghanaian cocoa stock, which has serious consequences for productivity per hectare.
Dr. Agyemang Dwomoh revealed this during an interaction with cocoa farmers in Kumikrom, an agricultural community in Sefwi Bekwai District, North West Region.
He explained that production in the region, which until now accounted for 30% of Ghana's total production, had decreased due to the devastating effect of CSSVD.
"The Western North Region, which has supplied approximately 330,000 metric tonnes, now produces 140,000 tonnes due to the creeping nature of the CSSVD virus; it's not good for the region, "he added.
According to Mr. Dwomoh, COCOBOD is implementing the national cocoa rehabilitation program as part of efforts to combat the threat.
The program, he said, would help improve farmers' productivity and livelihoods.
"I would like to implore you, dear farmers, to cooperate with COCOBOD to facilitate the smooth implementation of all our productivity improvement programs (PIPs), including the rehabilitation program," he said. he declares.
He also urged farmers to abandon the use of weed killers in cocoa plantations, as such practices affect the quality of Ghana's cocoa beans.
Mr. Dwomoh informed farmers that projects were underway to purchase motorized grinders for weeding and pruning their cocoa farms.
He also urged farmers to form farmer cooperatives to facilitate identification and access to inputs, funds and other benefits.
Farmers congratulated COCOBOD for this initiative and pledged to support the programs.
Mr. Dwomoh and his team traveled to the western North and Brong Ahafo regions to learn about the situation on the ground.
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