Cocoa farmers have been advised to co-operate with the division of Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD) of the Ghana Cocoa Board to eradicate the disease that is threatening the cocoa industry. Dr. George Opoku, Ashanti Regional Manager of the CSSVD, who made the call, expressed worry that some cocoa farmers were strongly opposed to the cutting own of cocoa trees affected by the disease. He was speaking at a day’s sensitisation rally, organized by the CSSVD to sensitise cocoa farmers on the disease, at Badabour near Mpasatia in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District of Ashanti Region. Dr. Opoku said the success of the exercise depended largely on the support of farmers whose farms had been infested with the disease. He said government would pay a compensation of 4000 Ghana cedis in phases of 40 per cent initially and 60 per cent as replanting money to farmers who would be affected by the exercise. Dr. Opoku gave the assurance that affected farmers would be assisted with technical advice and hybrid cocoa seedlings for replanting. He said the hybrid cocoa seedlings bear fruits within two and three years. Mr. Isaac Yamoah, Nkawie District Manager of CSSVD, said a survey conducted showed that the disease was rampant in the area and called on farmers to help to fight it. Opanin Kwame Ndwam, Nkawie District Chief Farmer, pledged that all cocoa farmers in the area would support the CSSVD to fight the disease Source: GNA