president John Mahama has pledged to raise cocoa‑farm incomes by guaranteeing growers 70 percent of the world market price.
Speaking on his “Thank You” tour in the Western North Region, Mr Mahama said farmers are battling “low prices, inadequate extension services, and constant delays in farm inputs,” adding, “The sweat of our cocoa farmers deserves dignity and a fair reward.”
He announced that an NDC administration would
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peg the producer price at 70 percent of the prevailing international price;
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restart and expand the cocoa‑rehabilitation programme in badly affected districts such as Bia and Juaboso;
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ensure quicker distribution of improved seedlings and fertilisers; and
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provide “regular, hands‑on extension support” through a retooled Cocoa Board.
“Under a new COCOBOD leadership, every farmer whose trees are cut for rehabilitation will receive prompt compensation and free replanting with high‑yield varieties,” he promised.
Mr Mahama argued that restoring productivity lost to swollen‑shoot disease and ageing farms will “put real money back into rural households and help stabilise the cedi through higher export earnings.”
Source: Adomonline.com
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