COCOBOD Announces Reduced Cocoa Production Target for 2024/25 Season
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has announced the commencement of the new cocoa crop season on September 10, 2024, under a proposed self-financing plan.
Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Chief Executive of COCOBOD, indicated that the production target for the new season has been revised downward by 19.8%, reflecting the impact of an unprecedented dry spell that has particularly affected farmers in the Bono and Western North regions.
The initial projection of 810,000 metric tonnes has been adjusted to 650,000 metric tonnes.
“This unusual dry weather in West Africa has made conditions challenging; it may be cloudy, but significant rainfall has been absent,” Mr Aidoo stated.
Looking ahead, COCOBOD has set an ambitious goal to boost cocoa production by over 200,000 metric tonnes over the next six years with the CEO of COCOBOD highlighting ongoing initiatives to replace aging trees that are no longer productive and emphasizing the importance of supporting farmers with fertilizers and technical assistance.
“For the first time in many years, COCOBOD has provided farmers with pruning services,” he noted, expressing optimism that these measures will yield substantial improvements in the medium term.
He reiterated the vital role of cocoa as a key economic driver for the nation, underscoring COCOBOD’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability and productivity of cocoa farms in Ghana.
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