A 103 year-old farmer; Maame Abena Serwaa was the focus of this year’s val’s day celebration as long as officials of the COCOBOD at Sefwi Bekwai were concerned.
Staff of COCOBOD visited her farm and spent time with the old woman and her labourers at Adobewura.
She is one of many whose farm has been hit badly by the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Disease.
Sefwi Bekwai District Manager of COCOBOD; Frank Amamoo who spoke to Speaking to Awuku Addo Okyeame of radio Bibiani, revealed that the swollen shot disease is rampant in the Adobewura area. He also revealed that about 200 hectors of cocoa farm belonging to Maame Serwaa has been infected and need to be rehabilitated. He said Mame Abena Sewaa used to harvest over 200 bags of cocoa years ago but now could not harvest even 20 bags yearly.
Staff of COCOBOD educated the neighboring farmers on the swollen shoot disease and the need to get their farms rehabilitated.
Maame Abena Serwaa who worked hard during her youth encouraged young people to go into cocoa production and avoid the allure of white colour jobs.
Many of the farmers around were touched by the gesture and pledged their willingness to have their depleted cocoa farms cut and rehabilitated.
