Farmers can only enjoy the full benefits of farm proceeds and subsidies when in cooperatives.
This is according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo.
He said fertilisers are now being subsidised at GH¢ 80.00, but farmers are allowed to credit from their respective cocoa offices and pay later if they don’t have money to pay.
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Some farmers, who spoke on Adom FM’s morning show ‘Dwaso Nsem‘, complained that the fertilisers and other farm products were being sold to them and they were sometimes told the fertilisers were not available.
In response, Mr Aidoo urged the farmers to join unions.
“I’m urging farmers in the country to join cooperative organisations and they can enjoy the full benefits of farm proceeds,” he stated.
Speaking on the same show, Mr Aidoo said the fertilisers are meant for mass distribution and thus, the farmers’ request could be granted when they come together as a group.
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He said farmers who also complain about the lack of fertilisers and weedicides do so because they demand for them individually.
“We are unable to serve famers individually when it comes to pesticides and other amenities. They are not for sale. The pesticides are limited so they are not meant for individual spraying. They are meant for all the farmers in the community to help all farmers benefit from it.
“But we are working to bring adequate machinery to support them,” he promised.
The COCOBOD CEO urged the farmers, whose farms are being destroyed due to infestation, to be patient as their compensation would be paid in due time.
Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy