The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has relaunched the government’s Free Fertiliser and Agro-Input Programme for cocoa farmers, introducing a new digital monitoring platform to ensure transparency in distribution as part of efforts to restore productivity, increase farmer incomes and revive the cocoa sector.
The initiative marks a major policy shift from the previous 50 per cent fertiliser subsidy to the full provision of free fertiliser to cocoa farmers, in what COCOBOD describes as a comprehensive reset of government support for the industry.
As part of the programme, more than 3.5 million bags of granular fertiliser have been procured for nationwide distribution, with about 1.2 million bags already delivered to farmers.
To improve accountability and eliminate irregularities in the distribution process, COCOBOD has also introduced a digital monitoring platform to track the supply of fertiliser and other agro-inputs to beneficiaries.
Speaking at the relaunch in Sefwi Wiawso, the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Dr. Randy Abbey, described the intervention as a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to easing the financial burden on cocoa farmers while restoring productivity across cocoa-growing communities.
He said the programme would help improve soil fertility, increase yields and secure the long-term future of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
“We are removing financial barriers to high yields. Free fertiliser is not a handout; it is an investment in farmers, in the soil, and in the foreign exchange earnings of this republic,” Dr. Abbey stated.
The relaunch, held under the theme, “Cocoa Sector Reset: Free Fertilizer for Increased Productivity and Improved Farmer Income,“ brought together government officials, traditional leaders, cocoa farmers and other stakeholders in the cocoa value chain.
Under the programme, farmers with mature and productive cocoa farms within designated operational districts will receive free granular or liquid fertiliser, insecticides and fungicides.
COCOBOD will also distribute free pneumatic and motorised sprayers to support efficient application of the inputs and further enhance cocoa production.