He said farms in Class “B” would receive artificial pollination to ensure improved yields of the products.

He also announced that COCOBOD would, from next month, introduce irrigation in all farms to allow for all-round yearly production.

Dr Opoku made this known at a dinner and awards night to climax the Nyonkopa week celebration at Elmina on Friday, September 28, 2018 where employees were rewarded for their hard work.

The four-day programme provided an opportunity for the more than 400 staff of the company to participate in various indoor and outdoor recreational activities in celebration of the company.

Awards

Mr David Koomson was rewarded as the Best Employee while 10 Best Purchasing Clerks from each sector were rewarded with flight tickets from Kumasi to Accra and back, along with their spouses, for factory visit at Tema.

Nyonkopa Cocoa Buying Limited is a subsidiary company of Barry Callebaut, the world leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products.

Dr Opoku said more than 10,000 hectares of cocoa trees affected by swollen shoot would be cut while shades and plantain suckers would be provided to revamp their farms.

“We have reduced the prices of Morgan fertiliser to ensure there is enough cocoa for Nyonkopa”, he said.

He lauded Nyonkopa for its hard work which enabled it to achieve its target of 100,000 tonnes within two years of establishment.

Commitment

The Managing Director of Nyonkopa Cocoa Buying Limited, Dr Joshy Varkey, reaffirmed the company’s commitment of achieving the government’s vision of producing one million metric tonnes of cocoa yearly.

He said as part of measures to achieve the vision the company had signed a LOI (Letter of Intent) with Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) on increasing the yield, climate smart cocoa, replanting and eradication of child labour in the cocoa supply chain.

“We are also closely working with COCOBOD on addressing the problems of ageing farmers and farms”, he said.

Underplanting techniques

Dr Varkey said the cocoa buying company, through the help of an international consultant, Mr J. Mani, had introduced underplanting technique, a new method in replanting and restoring old cocoa farms.

He said with less issues related to land tenure topics and improved yield, the techniques would help farmers address fluctuating cocoa prices and illegal mining (galamsey) while protecting the environment for future generation.

“I also can boldly say that we never had any issues of cross border trade or smuggled cocoa and we adhere strictly to Quality Control Company (QCC) policies.

 I would like to commend my field and port team for achieving this”, he stated.