Higher Cocoa Prices Can Shield Farms from Illegal Miners – Dumelo
Ayawaso West Wuogon MP Calls for Competitive Pricing and Stricter Mining Regulations
- Dumelo argues that fair pricing will prevent farmers from selling lands to illegal miners
- He calls for stricter policies to curb destructive mining near cocoa farms
- Competitive cocoa pricing will encourage farmers to sustain their farmlands
Deputy Minister-Designate for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has stressed that offering better cocoa prices is crucial to preventing farmers from leasing their lands to illegal miners.
During his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Tuesday, February 25, Dumelo highlighted a worrying trend where cocoa farmers are selling their farmlands to illegal small-scale miners due to financial pressures.
The Ayawaso West Wuogon MP pointed out that low cocoa prices leave farmers with little choice but to seek more lucrative alternatives, often at the expense of their farms. He argued that ensuring competitive cocoa pricing would encourage farmers to protect their lands rather than give in to illegal mining offers.
“Giving cocoa farmers the right price will deter them from selling their cocoa farms,” Dumelo stated.
Additionally, he called for stronger regulations in the mining sector to prevent activities that threaten agricultural lands.
“The mining industry must be properly structured so that operations do not encroach on cocoa farms. However, the primary issue remains pricing,” he added.
