By Faridat Salifu
The Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa, Nigeria Chapter, and the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria have expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of the National Cocoa Management Committee under the Cocoa Regulatory Board.
The two leading cocoa farmers’ organizations, led by Adeola Adegoke, made the commendation during a recent press briefing in Lagos, calling the move a long-awaited development for the Nigerian cocoa industry.
Adegoke noted that stakeholders in the cocoa sector had been advocating for a dedicated board to oversee the regulation and development of the industry for the past five years.
He extended his appreciation to President Tinubu, the Federal Executive Council, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, for their support.
The board’s primary responsibility, according to Adegoke, will be to support the regulation, production, and productivity of the cocoa sector, as well as incentivize farmers who have faced challenges due to fluctuating cocoa prices.
However, he emphasized that the board will not be involved in the marketing of cocoa, focusing instead on the vital areas of production and support for cocoa farmers.
Adegoke further stressed that with the establishment of the board, Nigeria has the potential to become a leading cocoa producer in Africa, despite currently ranking seventh globally and fourth on the continent in terms of cocoa production.
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He emphasized that implementing the Nigeria Cocoa Plan and ensuring the necessary policies, coupled with proper funding, could spark a resurgence in cocoa production.
This would involve rehabilitating farms and adopting sustainable practices such as agroforestry, traceability, quality control, and youth involvement.
The Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa and the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, along with other industry players, believe that Nigeria’s cocoa industry needs a strategic plan to regain its former glory.
Adegoke highlighted that the cocoa industry has long been a key contributor to foreign exchange, employment, and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
In 2023, the industry generated N356.16 billion in export value, with projections estimating the total cocoa exports for 2024 to be around N2.7 trillion ($1.76 billion).
Adegoke also called on the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa, to address the challenges faced by cocoa farmers in Ore and Odigbo Local Government Area.
The region’s cocoa farms have been significantly impacted by oil palm production investments, which have threatened the livelihoods of farmers in these areas.
Adegoke urged the Ondo State government to take urgent action to protect the state’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading cocoa producers, contributing approximately 90,000 metric tonnes of cocoa annually.
Without intervention, Adegoke warned, the situation could undermine the future expansion of cocoa production in Ondo State, further affecting the livelihoods of farmers and their families who depend on cocoa for their survival.
