The John Mahama government has reintroduced the free cocoa fertiliser programme as part of renewed efforts to support farmers and boost cocoa production in the 2025/2026 crop season.
Speaking at the announcement of the new producer price, Finance Minister Dr Cassel Ato Forson revealed that the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has already made preparations to ensure a smooth start to the season.
“In preparation for the new season, COCOBOD has made available jute sacks and related logistics for the smooth take-off of the 2025/2026 crop season,” he announced.
In what is being described as a farmer-focused shift in policy direction, Dr Forson added: “Ladies and Gentlemen, and to the cocoa farmer, I am pleased to announce that President Mahama’s Administration has reintroduced the free cocoa fertiliser programme as an additional support to the Ghanaian cocoa farmer, beginning the 2025/2026 crop year.”
He outlined the full list of agricultural inputs that will be supplied at no cost to farmers this season:
Free cocoa fertilisers (both liquid and granular)
Free insecticides
Free spraying machines
Free fungicides
Free flower inducers
Dr Forson stressed that this intervention is targeted at improving productivity and farmer income: “Government strongly advises cocoa farmers to apply these inputs solely for the purpose of improving cocoa yield and their income.”
The reintroduction of the free inputs policy has been hailed as a return to farmer-centred governance and signals the administration’s intention to make cocoa farming more sustainable and rewarding.
By: Victor Lavor
