I7 COCOA 



Population per 

 Province or locality square mile 



Western Province ... ... ... 16*7 



Central ,, ... ... ... 53-4 



Eastern ,, ... ... ... 44-3 



Ashanti ... ... ... ir6 



These figures, however, may be taken as a conservative 

 estimate, as there are many difficulties in the way of an 

 accurate census being obtained. 



The cocoa-growing area extends from 15 to 20 miles 

 from the sea coast to about 180 to 200 miles inland, across 

 almost the entire breadth of the colony, with the excep- 

 tion of areas of dry savannah or open grass country found 

 chiefly in the eastern extremity of the colony. 



The area of the cocoa-growing belt is approximately 

 24,000 square miles; and when due allowance is made for 

 rivers, swamps, wind belts, native food cultivation, and 

 forest reservation, a conservative estimate of one-fourth 

 this area, or 6,000 square miles, may be taken as the 

 area available for cocoa culture. 



The total production of 113,239,980 Ib. in 1913 is, 

 therefore, equivalent to an average yield of 18,873 ^- 

 per square mile, or about 29 Ib. per acre from this area. 

 The present conditions of the country render it almost 

 impossible to procure reliable statistics of the area under 

 crop, and no attempt has yet been made by Government 

 in this direction; but the foregoing estimate, based as it 

 is, I must admit, on a somewhat haphazard principle, 

 gives in figures a comparative estimate of the present 

 production, and indicates the possible limitations of the 

 industry. 



All other conditions being favourable, it is clear that 

 the industry is capable of very considerable extension, 

 and an annual increase in production is sure to continue 

 for some years to come. Indeed, I am convinced that 

 production will be limited first by the capacity of the 

 native farmers rather than by the extent of suitable land 

 available. 



The yields per acre obtained over a series of years at 

 the Government Agricultural Stations prove that the soil 

 and meteorological conditions are very "favourable for 

 this crop. 



At the Agricultural Station, Aburi, an average yield 



