The 2023/2024 cocoa season is expected to be one of the worst in recent years, primarily due to last year’s extreme weather conditions.
Boahen Aidoo, Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board, attributed the decline to unprecedented weather patterns that have severely impacted cocoa production.
He noted that last year saw the hottest temperatures on record, with new highs set almost every month from May to April this year.
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Such extreme heat has negatively affected the cocoa crop, creating unsuitable conditions for optimal growth.
In an interview on Adom FM, he added that the continuous rainfall since last April has also been detrimental.
Cocoa plants, which do not thrive in excessive water, have suffered from saturated soil and overhydration.
This, he explained, has led to poor root development and compromised land conditions, contributing to the decline in this year’s cocoa yields.
Mr. Aidoo emphasized the need for careful monitoring and adaptation to these weather changes to mitigate their impact on future cocoa production.
He also mentioned that the cocoa fertilizer provided to farmers by the previous Mahama administration did not enhance cocoa production.
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