Introduction
The Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC) on cocoa, under the Chairmanship of Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, met and agreed on the Producer Price of Cocoa for the 2021/2022 season which opens, Friday, 8th October, 2021.
Producer Price
In spite of the fall in the world market price of cocoa, the Government has maintained the producer price at GH¢10,560.00 per tonne. This price represents 87.15% of the FOB value. This figure translates into GH¢660 per bag of 64-kilogram gross weight and takes effect from Friday, 8th October, 2021.
This price is the highest within the sub-region. This demonstrates Government’s commitment to sustain the interest of the cocoa farmer in producing cocoa and also to improve the well-being of cocoa farmers. The producer price of cocoa was maintained when all cocoa producing countries are contemplating a reduction in their farm gate prices following a slump in the terminal cocoa market as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through the Ghana-Cote d’Ivoire Initiative, we have continued to implement the Living Income Differential which is helping to improve the welfare of cocoa farmers in both countries. It is significant to note that today, Cocoa Farmers in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire are better-off than their counterparts in other cocoa producing countries as a result of this noble initiative.
Government will in the 2021/22 season, implement the Cocoa Farmer’s pension scheme. This is also an unprecedented achievement under His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo to ensure a sustainable livelihood of the Ghanaian cocoa farmer after they retire from active cocoa farming.
Further, to assist the farmer to enjoy the full benefits from their investments, Government has introduced a uniform non-adjustable electronic weighing for the purchase of cocoa. The use of the digital scale takes effect from Friday 8th October 2021.
The scale has been certified by the Ghana Standard Authority and has been ascertained to conform to mandatory requirements. Cocoa buyers cannot adjust the weighing scale after it has been calibrated and sealed by the Ghana Standard Authority.
LBCs were advised to cooperate with the Ghana Standard Authority to set up the scales and use them to weigh the farmers cocoa.
Other Rates and Fees
The Committee has also approved the rates and fees for all other stakeholders in the supply chain. These include the Buyers’ margin, Haulers’ rate, warehousing and internal marketing costs, as well as, fees for disinfestation, grading and sealing and scale inspection.
Government Support and Commitment
Government will continue to support cocoa farmers through the pests and diseases control programme (Mass Spraying), Hi-Tech, Pruning, Hand Pollination and Cocoa Rehabilitation. Government has also committed itself to continue to supply certified planting materials that are drought tolerant, early bearing and high-yielding. The implementation of these Productivity Enhancement Programme resulted in the achievement of a record production of 1,046,958 tonnes for the 2020/21 season.
It was announced for the information of all cocoa farmers and other stakeholders that COCOBOD has made available funds, jute sacks and related logistics for the smooth take-off of the 2021/22 Main Crop Season.
By Urowoli Phillip
Assistant PRO, MoFA