The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has secured a $100 million loan from the World Bank to revitalize cocoa farms across six districts. This project aims to increase cocoa yields and support farmers.
Project Details
- Target: Rejuvenate cocoa farms in Assin Fosu, New Edubiase, Nkawkaw, and Juaso districts.
- Project Duration: Four years
- Activities:
- Removing unproductive cocoa trees over 20 years old.
- Preparing land for replanting.
- Providing seedlings and plantain suckers for planting.
- Offering extension officer support to educate and assist farmers.
Why Revamp Cocoa Farms?
- Older cocoa trees (over 20 years) become unproductive and reduce overall yield.
- COCOBOD aims to replace these trees with new, high-yielding varieties.
Supporting Farmers
- COCOBOD recognizes the challenges farmers face in replanting large areas.
- The project will provide:
- Plantain suckers to supplement income during the initial cocoa tree growth period.
- Labor assistance for planting.
- Training and support from extension officers.
Addressing Farmer Concerns
- Farmers requested:
- Improved roads in cocoa-growing areas to reduce post-harvest losses.
- More extension officers to provide ongoing support.
- COCOBOD responded by:
- Committing to allocating funds for road repairs based on recent cocoa price increases.
- Highlighting the increased extension officer-to-farmer ratio (now nearly meeting FAO standards).
Sustainable Farming Practices
- COCOBOD advised farmers to:
- Avoid planting cocoa in unsuitable soil types (sandy or clay).
- Stop burning weeds and utilize them as mulch instead.
- Refrain from selling cocoa tree branches for firewood.
- Avoid using harmful herbicides and poultry manure, as they damage soil quality and reduce yields.
Additional Support
- COCOBOD has procured 100,000 motorized slashers and pruners since 2020 to aid farm clearing.
- Farmers can access these tools through their district COCOBOD offices.
This project signifies COCOBOD’s commitment to supporting Ghanaian cocoa farmers and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the cocoa industry.
