Cocoa farmers in Adebowura in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region have called for a review of the distribution of government-supplied fertiliser, saying the current allocation is unfair and inadequate.
The farmers, who belong to the Adebowura Cocoa Cooperative, say the shortage is making it difficult for them to maintain their farms at a time when the cost of agricultural inputs remains high.
The Cooperative Chairman, Bismark Offin, a former Assembly Member for Adebowura No. 2, said farmers were frustrated by what he described as the unfair distribution of fertiliser intended to support cocoa production.
He alleged that some of the fertiliser supplied for farmers was being withheld rather than reaching the intended beneficiaries.
Mr Offin said about 80 farmers were expected to share just 10 bottles of fertiliser, an allocation he described as unacceptable.
“About 80 farmers are expected to share only 10 bottles of fertiliser. This is woefully inadequate,” he said.
He said the situation had left farmers disappointed and concerned about their ability to properly maintain their cocoa farms and sustain production.
Mr Offin also compared the current distribution system with what he said was the practice under the previous government, when, according to him, farmers received a more equitable share of fertiliser to support their farms.
He called on the Ghana Cocoa Board and other relevant authorities to investigate the distribution of fertiliser in the area and establish whether all the supplies intended for farmers had reached their beneficiaries.
The cooperative chairman said farmers should not have to struggle to access inputs that were meant to support cocoa production.
He urged the authorities to look into the farmers’ concerns and ensure that fertiliser supplied for cocoa farmers is distributed fairly and transparently.
The farmers are also calling for an investigation into their claims of unfair treatment and alleged withholding of fertiliser, saying a transparent distribution process would help restore confidence among cocoa producers in the area.
