COCOBOD cautions farmers against ?AF Confidence?

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Ghana_Cocoa_Board_(Cocobod)_logoCOCOBOD has said that ?AF Confidence? fertiliser/insecticide which is being distributed for sale to farmers is unsuitable for cocoa, warning farmers and chemical distribution companies to stay away from it.

The unapproved liquid fertiliser, which is also said to be an insecticide, has been found to contain substances inimical to cocoa production, the government body that fixes the buying price for cocoa said in a release copied to B&FT.

?Tests conducted by Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana and the Ghana Standards Authority have revealed that the fertiliser/insecticide contains Chlopyrifos and Lambda-cyhalothrin, active ingredients which are banned molecules for use on cocoa internationally.

?The continuous supply and use of the product will create problems for Ghana?s cocoa on the international market. We therefore urge all our farmers not to patronise ?AF Confidence? fertiliser/insecticide.?

The sale of unapproved chemicals to farmers for use on cocoa farms is a crime punishable by law; and any individual, group of persons or organisations found culpable will be dealt with accordingly, COCOBOD said.

?We wish to advise our farmers to patronise only COCOBOD-approved chemicals to improve their yield, enhance their incomes and sustain the cocoa industry. Information on approved cocoa agrochemicals can be obtained from COCOBOD offices/Extension Officers all over the cocoa districts.

2COCOBOD will continue to pursue programmes that ensure cocoa produced in Ghana meets the world?s food safety standards, and is of premium quality.?

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