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Thirty-two cocoa farmers from 11 cocoa districts in the Eastern Region have undergone training on the application of a new improved organic fertiliser, the "Polysulphate".
It is intended to boost cocoa production in the 11 cocoa districts of the region, namely Suhum, Nankese, Osino, Tafo, New Abirem, Akim Oda, Asamankese, Nkawkaw, Ofoase Ayeribi and Boadua.
The "Polysulphate", popularly known as Asaasehene, is a multi-nutrient sulphate cocoa fertiliser that provides a 70 per cent increase in cocoa yield, which is the result of trials conducted by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG).
Addressing the beneficiary cocoa farmers yesterday after a day's training programme, the Country Manager of Demeter Ghana Limited, William Hunt, said the initiative aimed at equipping cocoa farmers with the essential skills to enhance productivity by improving soil health.
The beneficiary cocoa farmers, he indicated, had also been empowered to adopt eco-friendly practices using the Polysulphate cocoa fertiliser, saying that it would go a long way to drive sustainable growth in Ghana's cocoa production.
Mr Hunt, whose company produces the Polysulphate, stated that the company was one of Ghana's agricultural backbones, which had provided inputs and services since last year and that it had been dedicated to agricultural development aimed at combating challenges faced by Ghanaian cocoa farmers.
Giving more details about the new fertiliser, he intimated that it contained nutrients for cocoa trees and that the product had been tested by CRIG, which proved that no adverse effect would be experienced by the cocoa trees but would rather increase its productivity and consequently more profits.
The Acting Deputy Executive Director for Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) of the Ghana COCOBOD, Abdul Majeed Mumuni, said his outfit was pleased to be associated with Demeter Ghana Limited because the two organisations shared the same vision and goals geared towards promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable farming practices.
That, he stated, would lead to increased production of cocoa.
"I have been to some of the farms where the demonstrations were done and if you see the pod loads per cocoa tree, with the application of this organic fertiliser, it has been amazing.
"One thing about the product is that it releases its nutrients slowly for proper growth, flower development and pudding so the farmers can continue to be in business," Mr Mumuni stated.
The Deputy Director of the Bunso Cocoa College, Alfred Arthur, said the fertiliser had gone through the needed testing protocols by CRIG in 2019 and that after laboratory testing and verification, as well as farm application at some selected farms at Bechem, Konogo, New Adubease and Assin Nkokoasa, the results had been positive, with an increase in yield.
A cocoa farmer, Solomon Boadi, from the Akim Oda Cocoa District, who was highly elated about the training, testified to the Daily Graphic that the product had made a positive impact on his farm.
"I was given six bags of the fertiliser to try on my cocoa farm, and after two weeks, when it rained, the fertiliser dissolved and a month later, people around started questioning the type of fertiliser I used, because it had increased the cocoa pods on my farm.
"I recommended the fertiliser to all cocoa farmers in the area," Mr Boadi stated.
