COCOBOD alerts farmers on unapproved ‘AF Confidence’ fertilizer

…says product will create problems for Ghana’s cocoa on world market

The COCOBOD has alerted cocoa farmers to stop using a new liquid fertilizer known as “AF Confidence’ because the substance has not been approved to be used on cocoa.

According to the cocoa regulator, the unapproved liquid fertiliser, which is also said to be an insecticide, has been found to contain substances, which are inimical to cocoa production.

In a statement issued February 21, 2013, COCOBOD said “Tests conducted by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana and the Ghana Standards Authority have revealed that the fertilizer/insecticide contains Chlopyrifos and Lambda-cyhalothrin, active ingredients, which are banned molecules for use on cocoa internationally.”

“We, therefore, urge all our farmers not to patronise ‘AF Confidence’ fertiliser/insecticide,” it added.

COCOBOD indicated that the continuous supply and use of the product will “create problems for Ghana’s cocoa” on the international market.

It urged farmers to patronise only COCOBOD approved chemicals to improve their yield.

By Ekow Quandzie