Farmers of Cocoa Abrabopa Association (CAA) are to benefit from a special pension scheme to support them in their old age. Officials have completed preparatory work on the scheme which is set for launching in January 2012. Chairman of the Association, Issa Mustapha, who announced this at the 3rd Annual General Meeting at Obuasi, assured farmers of continued input support from the association in the years ahead. Farmers have received Gh¢15 million worth of agro inputs this year, with 98 per cent of the amount expected to be recovered. Last year, out of Gh¢11million worth of inputs, 97 per cent was retrieved. The Association now boasts of nearly 19,000 farmers, 11% increment of last year’s total of 16,754 covered. Executive Secretary of CAA, Eliseus Opoku- Boamah, said the certification programme introduced in 2009 has helped improve the quality of cocoa beans produced by its members. According to him, this makes Cocoa Abrabopa the first in Ghana to be double-certified by two international companies, UTZ and Rainforest, while Fair Trade International is due to follow suit. He entreated the farmers to get certified to enjoy the benefits. Some farmers won prizes in a raffle draw with the ultimate winner taking home a mini-tractor, scholarship package, protective clothing, mobile phone and Gh¢3,429.00 cash.