The Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board(COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey has reiterated his outfit’s commitment in improving the living conditions of farmers across the country by announcing the payment of remunerative cocoa prices by his outfit during a farmers’ rally held at Attronso in the Sefwi Bekwai District.
Over the period Ghana’s cocoa industry has been bedeviled with a number of challenges ranging from poor living conditions of cocoa farmers, reduction in crop yields, loss of cocoa farm lands to illegal miners among others.
During an engagement with the cocoa farmers’ during his three-day maiden visit to the Western North Region, Dr. Ransford Abbey mentioned plans are underway to review the producer price of cocoa for the 2025/2026 season. This, he says forms part of efforts in improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
“Despite our financial constraints, …..the management of COCOBOD is committed to offering cocoa farmers a better price for their produce,” he emphasized.
The COCOBOD CE also bemoaned aging population of cocoa farmers, describing it as a threat to the long-term sustainability of the sector. He emphasized the importance of attracting youth into agriculture through modernization and innovation.
“We are working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to modernize cocoa farming. By introducing advanced tools and equipment, we aim to make the sector more lucrative and appealing to young people,” he stated.
Dr. Abbey announced plans to prioritize irrigation systems on cocoa farms to mitigate the unpredictable rainfall patterns. He urged farmers to join cooperatives, which would allow COCOBOD to implement irrigation projects more effectively when rolled out.
Robust legal regime for the protection of cocoa crops is one that stakeholders within the cocoa value chain have been pushing for. COCOBOD CE disclosed that efforts to amend existing laws protecting cocoa trees in order to secure and hedge the cocoa industry from potential environmental threats.
Dr. Abbey further assured farmers of the timely supply of fertilizers and agrochemicals and urged all stakeholders within the cocoa value chain to help in revitalizing and sustaining the sector.
