One cannot underestimate the uniqueness of coconut, and its ability to revitalize the human body from fatigue and replenish the circulatory system, however its production stages have today received a gnashing rebuke by GCGC who are championing the lead to improve the sector and its employees into this venture as a business.
Most farmers in the country lack good agricultural practices in coconut production hence affecting the industry greatly, Mr. Kwaku Boateng, C.E.O of Green Coast Group Consult revealed in an interview with Krobea Asante Tofepa Ntomentwene, a Journalist at Power Africa Multimedia, and former Morning Show host at Rite FM in Somanya.
Grave is the worry since it affected many who depended on the product for production of juice, oils, fresh water and others such as cosmetics, ear rings fertilizer, wooden spoons etc.
He said that, farmers who venture the sector should acquire enough knowledge and technical know – how since not adopting to GAP was responsible for the low production levels and inability to produce to meet international demand.
Mr. Boateng mentioned that land selection, pruning, regular maintenance and weed control, fertilizer application and buying seedlings from not trusted sources is to be eschewed from farmers life.
He advised that, farmers who fail to keep weed under control will have grass cutters disturbing their plantations and therefore stressed the need to adhere to such practices.
He also encouraged farmers to use right spacing of 25 -27 ft to have good and quality yield.
In a development, Mr. Boateng said that, farmers improve their skills in coconut farming by watching television programs and listening to agricultural radio talk shows.
He was quick to thank Angel Television, for their immense contributions towards education of farmers on Good Agricultural Practices, GAP through the programme “Akuafoo Adamfo” in Coconut farming.
In conclusion, he has ascertained that farmers who adopt good practices are always bound to harvest for profit however, those who tend to ignore such directives reap barely nothing after so many years of time and financial inputs.
“We have started an advocacy for change and hopeful farmers will help build a resilient coconut industry in the country” he added.
Mr. Boateng reiterated that farmers who are interested in the coconut industry had many opportunities from Green Coast as its outfit is constantly developing projects to employ many of youth in its value chain.
Call: Kwaku Boateng, C.E.O Green Coast Group Consult 0246047344.
