Cocoa farmers in parts of the country are reaping the benefits of cocoa certification programmes, which involve strict production and fair-trade standards.Leading licensed cocoa buying firm, Produce Buying Company, presently pays its certified farmers Gh₵6 bonus per bag of cocoa, against government’s Gh₵2.50.Six thousand cocoa farmers in six districts of the Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions have benefited from the year-long programme.“The primary objective is to employ various agricultural practices; husbandry practices to enable the farmers get higher yield”, Managing Director of PBC, Kojo Atta-Krah told Luv Biz Report.He explains certification programme will be extended to more cocoa growing communities to sustain production.The cultivation of certified and traceable cocoa has become important to meet the increasing demand of global chocolate consumers.In addition to a ready market for their cocoa produce, the farmers receive training on best agronomic practices to increase production.“Until the certification programme, we encountered a lot of lapses on the farm. For instance, the programme helped me last year to increase production from 5 to 11 bags on an acre land. I will encourage my colleaques who are not part to join now and also enjoy the benefits”, Mark Appiah, a beneficiary farmer told Luv Biz.