Nigerian Cocoa Farmers urged to Leverage on Climate-smart Initiatives for Massive Production

The Traceability and Resilience in Agriculture and Cocoa Ecosystems (TRACE), has called upon Nigerian cocoa farmers to prioritize both the quality and quantity of their production.

The project aims to achieve this by harnessing climate-smart agricultural practices and implementing initiatives to enhance development along the cocoa supply chain.

The call was made by Nene Akwetey-Kodjoe, the Chief of Party of TRACE, during a workshop on monitoring, evaluation, and learning, held in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.

TRACE, a five-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food for Progress program, is being implemented in six cocoa-producing states in Nigeria, including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Ekiti, Ondo, and Osun.

The project has two primary objectives: firstly, to assist cocoa farmers in increasing productivity through climate-smart agriculture, combatting the challenges posed by climate change during dry seasons, and providing irrigation interventions.

Secondly, TRACE aims to expand the trade of Nigerian-origin cocoa by improving the traceability of cocoa supply chains. Collaborations with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) are established to trace planting materials, thereby fostering a larger market for Nigerian cocoa.

The choice of Ondo State for the three-day workshop is strategic, as it is the largest cocoa-producing state in Nigeria and is also home to the TRACE project office.

The project aims to engage not only established industry stakeholders but also reach out to new farmers through the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, ensuring that these interventions benefit the entire supply chain.

While awaiting USDA approval for the baseline study, TRACE is actively engaging with state governments to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

Akwetey-Kodjoe emphasized the significance of cocoa to Nigeria’s economy and the multitude of farmers engaged in cocoa farming, thus calling for continued support as they progress with the field implementation.

Onwusogbolu Chinedu, representing the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, reiterated that the workshop aimed to stimulate ideas for enhancing cocoa productivity in Nigeria.

He acknowledged the government’s efforts in providing improved hybrid seedlings (CRIN TC1-8), agrochemicals, and training for farmers, urging cocoa farmers to align with the government’s initiatives to propel the cocoa industry forward.

Chinedu also encouraged young people to embrace farming, highlighting the opportunities presented by modern farming technologies and the potential for financial success in cocoa cultivation.

Patrick Adebola, the Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, called upon governments at all levels to introduce programs that would entice youths to return to farming.

He emphasized the need for a regulatory body or agency to oversee activities in the cocoa value chain, aiming to reduce the incidence of substandard cocoa products being sent to the international market.

Ranjana Bhattacharjee, a senior scientist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, pointed out the decline in Nigeria’s cocoa production compared to other countries like Ghana, Cameroon, and Cote D’Ivoire, even though cocoa remains a major contributor to the country’s GDP, alongside petroleum.”