{
  "id": 15859396,
  "title": "COCOBOD distributes 2.8m cocoa seedlings to 2,705 farmers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/cocobod-distributes-2-8m-cocoa-seedlings-to-2-705-farmers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T07:38:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/cocobod-distributes-2-8m-cocoa-seedlings-to-2705-farmers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "COCOBOD, the Ghanaian cocoa board, has supplied over 2.8 million free hybrid cocoa seedlings and 67,794 economic shade trees to 2,705 farmers in Techiman South District, located in Bono East Region. The distribution also included 21,000 bags of free Ultimate granular fertiliser, many of whom had applied it in hopes of boosting crop performance. Nana Osei Agyeman Prempeh, from COCOBOD’s Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), attributed these efforts to production challenges due to high temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns, which have led to declining yields in the district's Ayigbe, Nkoranza, Jama, and Wenchi communities. The district office suggested implementing irrigation programs as an additional strategy to support farmers as they adapt to changing weather conditions. Prempeh urged farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, such as intercropping cocoa with cashew trees and applying organic manure. Cashew trees can provide shade for cocoa farms, while decomposing leaves and organic matter can enhance soil fertility. Pruning helps increase airflow within cocoa farms and reduce conditions that promote insect infestations, according to Prempeh. Despite the difficulties, Prempeh remains optimistic about the future of cocoa production in the district, crediting the distribution of improved planting materials, fertiliser, and climate-smart farming practices for the potential yield improvements.",
  "summary": "THE Ghana COCOBOD has distributed more than 2.8 million free hybrid cocoa seedlings, including 67,794 economic shade trees, to 2,705 farmers in the Techiman South District of the Bono East Region. It also distributed 21,000 bags of free Ultimate granular fertiliser to farmers, many of whom had applied it with the expectation of improving crop … The post COCOBOD distributes 2.8m cocoa seedlings to…",
  "key_points": [
    "COCOBOD distributed 2.8 million cocoa seedlings to 2,705 farmers in Techiman South District.",
    "Farmers received 67,794 shade trees and 21,000 bags of Ultimate granular fertiliser.",
    "Nana Osei Agyeman Prempeh recommended climate-smart practices like intercropping and organic manure."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}