A former District Extension Officer with the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Francis Cyril Asiedu, has testified that farmers have referred to Lithovit liquid fertilizer as a “game changer” in enhancing cocoa yields.

According to him, one farmer shared that after using the fertilizer, he was able to dedicate all his time to harvesting his cocoa and was extremely proud of his yield, crediting the use of Lithovit liquid fertilizer for the improvement.

Mr Asiedu, who was subpoenaed as a witness for the defence of Seidu Agongo, made this statement during cross-examination in the ongoing trial involving Dr Stephen Opuni, the former Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, and two others.

Dr Opuni and Mr Agongo face 27 charges, including defrauding by pretences, willfully causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, and corruption by a public officer in violation of the Public Procurement Act.

Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are currently on GH¢300,000 self-recognizance bail.

Mr Asiedu, who is the 8th defence witness in the trial, explained that the positive feedback on Lithovit liquid fertilizer came during community and district rallies where extension officers interacted with farmers regarding the agrochemical interventions provided to them.

He noted that many extension officers across the districts shared similar opinions to the farmers, affirming the fertilizer’s positive impact on crop yields.

As a former member of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) at COCOBOD, Mr. Asiedu confirmed that the effectiveness of Lithovit liquid fertilizer was not in dispute among COCOBOD’s management.

He emphasized that when fertilizer was ineffective, farmers would typically report complaints immediately following the cocoa season.

“Farmers are very frank in expressing their views of matters that concern them, especially when it comes to interventions for their farmers, they do not hide their feelings,” he added.

Mr. Asiedu testified that there were no adverse reports regarding the efficacy of Lithovit liquid fertilizer.

He further stated that, based on feedback from farmers, the fertilizer was well received, with many expressing satisfaction and even requesting more of it for subsequent seasons.

In his evidence, Mr. Asiedu remarked, “The farmers liked Lithovit and they used it and even requested more.”

He added that in addition to the farmers’ own feedback, the effectiveness of the fertilizer was also assessed through reports from extension officers and their observations in the field.