Mr Theophilus Kinsley Bentum, Wassa Amenfi District Manager, Produce Buying Company (PBC) has expressed concern about the manner in which some cocoa farmers ferment their cocoa beans. He explained that, instead of the normal fermentation period of seven days that brings out good aroma and quality beans to meet acceptable international standards, some farmers ferment their beans between four and five days. Mr. Bentum was addressing a farmers’ forum at Wassa Akropong where over 130 farmers were awarded. The forum was jointly organized by the Produce Buying Company, the Amenfiman Rural Bank and Sidalco Limited, dealers in Sidalco cocoa liquid fertilizer to award deserving cocoa farmers for their outstanding performance last year. The occasion was also used to introduce Sidalco Cocoa liquid fertilizer and also educate them on its application. Mr. Bentum explained that, the continuous use of cocoa farmland over the years leads to loss of natural nutrients of the soil and therefore calls for a booster to ensure good yield. He recommended Sidalco Cocoa Liquid Fertilizer which he said has been approved by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana and the Cocoa Marketing Board as efficacious. Mr. Bentum however urged the technical officers of Sidalco Limited to reach out more to the farmers to educate them on its application. Mr. Samuel Darko, an agronomist, Sidalco Limited spoke at length about how the Sidalco cocoa liquid fertilizer was applied. Mrs. Gifty Lamptey, Managing Director of Sidalco Limited expressed gratitude to the cocoa farmers for patronizing the fertilizer and urged them to pay back loans arranged for them at the Amenfiman Rural Bank. Twelve societies and 130 individuals were given awards ranging from television sets, bicycles, sound systems and Sidalco products. Source: GNA