Tafo (E/R) July 13, GNA – Confidor OTEQ, an environmentally friendly pesticide has been launched in Ghana to boost the production of the cash crop and the drive of the country to overtake Cote d’Ivoire as the lead cocoa producing nation. Confidor OTEQ, which has been endorsed by the Tafo-based Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) in the Eastern Region, is collaboration between Wienco, an agro-based company and Bayer, a global producer of agro-chemicals. The product is accredited to possess excellent sticking effect, optimum canopy coverage, increased speed of action, high retention in plants and pods and reputed for its active ingredient. It is also safe and efficacious against Akate (MIRIDS) and other pests. The new formulation technology has outstanding “rainforestness,” excellent biological performance, improved contact to plant surface and modified to avert imitation or counterfeiting. Dr Isaac Opoku, Deputy Executive Director of CRIG emphasised at the product launch on Tuesday that Confidor OTEQ is safe to farmers and would facilitate the desire of Ghana to increase its current cocoa production from 900, 000 metric tonnes to one million metric tonnes. He said pest control was very relevant to boost the crop production, explaining that cassid for instance was a disease that accounted for 25 per cent to 30 per cent cocoa loss. Dr Opoku said it took CRIG between three-five years to recommend a new product and having certified Confidor OTEQ, the institute would organise a comprehensive training programme from July 18 on the pesticide. The programme would attract the 64,000 mass spraying gangs, local chief farmers and other stakeholders. Mr Edmund Dutauziet, Marketing and Food Chain Manager of Bayer said Confidor OTEQ has an active insecticide as its chemical group and also stressed the efficacy and environmental safety of the product. Mr Marc Kok, Managing Director of Wienco-Ghana cautioned the farmers and farming groups, who attended the programme to destroy the empty chemical bottle, adding that it is dangerous to put it into any other use. “A chemical will always remain a chemical,” he stressed. Confidor OTEQ, which is packaged in one litre and 30 millitre bottles, is to be well shaken before application while the sprayers are expected to wear protective gear before administering the product. The product carries the warning that “it is harmful to bees and must therefore not be sprayed on flowers.” Wienco (Ghana) Limited, established in 1979 is jointly owned by Dutch and Ghanaian Shareholders. As an agricultural company, Wienco specializes in the importation and distribution of high quality agro-inputs that meet international standards. The objective of the company is the development of new crop protection areas and the strengthening of key partnerships that would enhance the productivity of the Ghanaian farmer and ensure that he or she obtains profitable high yields. The company is strengthening its efforts to become a key player in the seed industry particularly, maize. As part of Wienco’s commitment to improve the productivity of smallholder farmers in Ghana, input packages are given to organised groups of farmers in the form of credit facilities such as fertilisers and agro-chemicals. This has led to the establishment of two major innovations namely: Cocoa Abrabopa Association for cocoa farmers and Masara N’arziki for maize farmers. The two associations have become key partners of Wienco. Currently, the Cocoa Abrabopa Association operates from Dunkwa-On-Offin in the Central Region with thousands of members in all cocoa growing areas in Ghana. Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. The group is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its role as a socially and ethically responsible corporate citizen. Source: GNA