Deputy Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has raised concerns over the growing trend of cocoa farmers abandoning their farms for illegal mining due to financial incentives.
Speaking at his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Tuesday, February 25, Dumelo attributed the issue to low cocoa prices, which make farming unsustainable. He urged the government to increase cocoa prices to discourage farmers from selling their lands to miners.
Additionally, he called for stronger mining regulations to protect agricultural lands.
“A well-structured mining industry is essential, but the core issue remains pricing,” Dumelo emphasized, adding that better cocoa prices would help farmers maintain their livelihoods without resorting to illegal mining.
