Cocoa Production In Nigeria To Increase By 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Hope rises that Nigeria may return to the boom period in cocoa business as Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, (CFAN) predicted a rise in production by 2024.

According to CFAN, Cocoa production in Nigeria will move from 340,000 to 500,000 metric tonnes by 2024.

Nigeria used to be a leading cocoa producer in the past with consignments coming from mainly the south west region.

The president, CFAN, Adeola Adegoke disclosed this in Akure at the free distribution of the cocoa GAP handbook to cocoa farmers in Ondo state.

Adegoke decried annual decrease in quantity of cocoa production against past records of the country as the best cocoa producing country.

He also faulted continued deterioration of cocoa beans among other unwholesome practices, which now devalue the once preferred Nigerian cocoa beans at international markets.

The President explained that the handbook was therefore introduced to guide the farmers on acceptable national and international standard for cocoa planting and processing following the threat by European union to ban all cocoa beans that were below standard.

The CFAN President who explained that the step was to make Nigeria the highest Cocoa producer by 2027, added that a national taskforce among other partners had been put in place to control and apprehend those involve in sharp practices.

Presenting the cocoa GAP handbook, the director of tree crops, Ogun state, Mr James Oyesola expressed optimism that the move would revive Cocoa production in the country.

On government efforts at reviving dwindling cocoa production, the special adviser on Agriculture and Agric business in Ondo state, Pastor Akin olotu revealed that hectares of lands had been cleared with annual planting of new cocoa seedlings by the State government.

The trade promotion advisor, nigerian exports promotion council, MacPherson Fred-Ileogben pledged that the nation would continue to promote its products for economic stability.

Some participants across the country, Mr Abdrasheed Usamat, Mrs Ayemosan Veronica, Chief Adeyemi Sunday from Ekiti and Kareem Muritala from Okada, Edo State commended CFAN for the handbooks and urged government to support them with inputs at subsidized rates.