Nat’l Tymes News Desk
THE government has brought back the free fertilizer programme for cocoa farmers, fulfilling a key promise made by President John Mahama.
The 2026 Budget has allocated a massive GH¢5.1 billion to supply free fertilizers, insecticides and other farm inputs to cocoa farmers across the country.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced the initiative in Parliament on Thursday, November 13, 2025, describing it as a major investment aimed at reviving cocoa production. He said government expects cocoa output in the 2025/2026 season to hit 650,000 metric tonnes.
“To achieve this target, government has set aside GH¢2.4 billion for CODAPEC, which covers free mass spraying, and GH¢2.7 billion for the distribution of free fertilizers,” Dr. Forson told Parliament.
The announcement marks the return of a programme that was first introduced under former President Mahama but later cancelled by the Akufo-Addo administration in 2018. Instead of continuing the free supply of fertilizers and chemicals, the Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia government began selling them, including stocks that had already been procured.
Farmers say this contributed to a decline in cocoa production as costs became too high. The widespread destruction caused by illegal mining, known as galamsey, further worsened the situation.
Since returning to office in January 2025 after a decisive victory, President Mahama has faced strong public expectation to restore the free fertilizer policy. In August, the Finance Minister signalled that the programme would be fully funded in the upcoming budget.
The renewed policy will provide farmers with liquid and granular fertilizers, insecticides, spraying machines, fungicides and flower inducers—all at no cost.
The government believes this support will help farmers increase yields and strengthen the nation’s cocoa sector once again.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
