Ghana COCOBOD relaunches free fertilizer programme to boost cocoa production
The initiative includes technology-driven farmer registration, farm rehabilitation funding and plans to introduce tertiary scholarships for cocoa farmers’ children in 2027/2028.
GHANA – Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has relaunched its Free Fertilizer Distribution Programme, renewing government support for cocoa farmers as the country seeks to improve productivity, reduce input costs and strengthen livelihoods.
The programme was relaunched at Sefwi-Wiawso in the Western North Region. Speaking at the event, COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer Dr Randy Abbey directed Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) officials to use technology to register farmers and manage the distribution of agricultural inputs.
Abbey said digital registration would help “eliminate favouritism, cut out middle men” and ensure fertilizers and other agro-inputs reached cocoa farmers directly.
The COCOBOD chief executive highlighted the impact of cocoa swollen shoot disease on production in the Western North Region. He said annual output had fallen from 340,000 metric tonnes to 140,000 metric tonnes because of the disease.
He said COCOBOD was mobilising capital from development banks and private-sector partners to rehabilitate diseased farms and restore farmers’ livelihoods. Abbey also announced that the Board was working to introduce tertiary scholarships for children of cocoa farmers from the 2027/2028 academic year.
COCOBOD Board Chairman Dr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo urged farmers to apply fertilizers correctly to improve soil fertility and increase cocoa yields. He cautioned against diversion of the inputs, noting that tracking technology had been deployed to monitor distribution from warehouses to farms.
Ofosu-Ampofo said the system would ensure that the intended beneficiaries received the inputs.
Western North Regional Minister Wilbert Petty Brentum said the relaunch demonstrated the government’s commitment to revitalising the cocoa sector, raising productivity and improving farmers’ livelihoods.
He commended farmers for sustaining the industry despite the effects of cocoa swollen shoot disease and other crop diseases. Brentum also called for privatisation of the farm rehabilitation programme in the region, saying this would provide farmers with much-needed financial relief.
Nana Ofori Ahenkan II, Chief of Bonzain and Acting President of the Wiawso Traditional Council, who chaired the launch, said farmers’ dedication had contributed significantly to Ghana’s cocoa production.
He said the free fertilizer initiative would help “secure the future of Ghana’s cocoa sector” and improve farmers’ livelihoods. He urged beneficiaries to use the inputs for their intended purpose and follow recommended application practices.
Ghana produced 771,000 metric tonnes of cocoa last season, exceeding its target of 650,000 tonnes. COCOBOD has not announced a production target for the current season.
The initiative is designed to ease the financial burden of fertilizer purchases and support farm rehabilitation. It also aims to improve farmers’ livelihoods by ensuring agricultural inputs are available to support production and cocoa farms.
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