INAUGURATION OF COMMITTEE ON LID

Posted on | 2022-08-11

The Federal Government Inaugurates National Cocoa Management Committee as Nigeria begins new cocoa revolution.

The Federal Government on Tuesday, disclosed that cocoa farmers will benefit from Living Income Differential (LID) of $400 per tonne along with counterparts in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

This was made known by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Abubakar, in a keynote address during inauguration of 11-man National Cocoa Management Committee, NCMC, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

Abubakar tasked the newly inaugurated NCMC as part of its terms of reference on urgent draft charter for the operations of NCMC which will enable an Executive Bill to be forwarded to the National Assembly for legal backing.

He explained that the inauguration is the culmination of enormous collective efforts based on a recent visit by some officials from his Ministry to one of the largest world cocoa producing and exporting countries, Ghana to study the implementation of Living Income Differential, LID.

According to him, Ghana and Cote d’ Ivoire introduced the Living Income Differential, LID, as a premium on their cocoa and as tool to complement their prices of cocoa in international market. He said Nigeria cannot wait to join Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, and in order to work out modalities for Nigerian cocoa farmers to start benefitting from this initiative like their counterparts in Ghana and Cote d’ Ivoire, this committee is being set up. Cocoa farmers will benefit from Living Income Differential (LID) of $400 per tonne along with counterparts in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

This was made known by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Abubakar, in a keynote address during inauguration of 11-man National Cocoa Management Committee, NCMC, at the Ministry.

However, the Minister highlighted challenges in the cocoa industry the Committee is expected to tackle which include; pest and diseases, logistics such as rural roads and infrastructure, old Cocoa plantations, ageing Cocoa farmers, processing, access to finance, environmental concerns such as deforestation, climate change and absence of a National Coordinating body.

The Committee is made up of Chairman, ENGR Adbullahi Garba ABUBAKAR, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja; Secretary, Dr Patrick Adebola, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, CRIN, Ibadan; Member, Olutobaba Ajayi, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Member, Ibrahim Mohammed, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Member, S.O. G Tuayeringha, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; Member, James Oyesola, Ministry of Agriculture, Ogun State; Member, Williams Ifere, Ministry of Agriculture, Cross River State; Member, Prince Martins Awofisayo, Harvestfields Industry Limited; Members, Adeola Adegoke, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria; Member, Muktar Bolarinwa, Cocoa Association of Nigeria; and member, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. He said: “The purpose of this is to increase the share benefits received by cocoa farmers in these countries. The minister outlined the duties of the NCMC to to the committee.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Committee who also doubles as Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, FDA, Engr Abdullahi Abubakar, said the Committee is commencing their assignment immediately, and it would start with drafting a Nigerian Cocoa Charter, which will be a prerequisite to join Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire Initiative.

He added that the leadership of the Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire Initiative will see what the Committee has done by September 2022, and based on this the whole of August would be used to ensure the Nigeria Cocoa Charter is ready.

He also said there will be value addition in terms of processing, and the Ministry is supporting the cocoa value chain from beginning to end, hence no need to export raw cocoa to the international market.

Nigeria Govt. Has Expressed Interest To Implement LID

Posted on | 2022-05-25

Nigerian government joins the race to effect the Living Income Differential (LID) of $400 on every tonne of cocoa beans sold to enhance farmers’ livelihood with Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.
The Director for Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Abdullahi Abubakar, who led a team to the Ghana Cocoa Board, said the move would help in boosting the income of the smallholer Cocoa farmers.

The delegation met the officials of the COCOBOD in Ghana to examine the operations of the LID as designed to smallholder Cocoa farmers in Ghana.

Mr. Abubakar, who read the speech on behalf of Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said Nigeria’s unregulated and liberalized Cocoa Industry, was depriving small holder farmers of yearly revenues as they were unable to collect the LID.

The LID system which was established by Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana in 2019 is set to be the Cocoa Markets Organisation of Africa and if fully implemented in the region can be compared to the organisation of petroleum exporting countries where prices of cocoa will be regulated.”

“Nigeria being lined up to join the LID system will also guarantee that the premium charged in the $100 billion Chocolate Industry will help in boosting the income of the small holder farmers,” he added.

Reacting on the interest the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, said some structures ought to be put in place for the LID to work in Nigeria.

He said while Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire implemented a centralised regulatory system, trading and marketing in Nigeria were done by individual private companies without any centralised regulation.

“This makes it difficult for the LID to flow smoothly to the farmers because the LID ought to be given in total farmer. But where there is no control, it becomes difficult to ensure compliance of the flow,” Mr Aidoo said.

Besides, Nigeria must also join the Ghana Cote d’Ivoire Cocoa Initiative, sign the Cocoa Charter and ensure its promulgation by the national assembly to be able to benefit from the initiative.

He said Nigeria coming on board would present a formidable force and a stronger say in the market in determining prices.

Cocoa Farmers Desire To Increase The Cocoa Production.

Posted on | 2022-05-25

The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, CFAN during the Flagging-off of the free distribution of the Cocoa GAP Handbook held at Idayat Hall, Ijebu-Ode on 16th May, 2022 desires to increase the country cocoa production by 80% organic which will make the country to be the highest sustainable cocoa producing country in the world during the distribution of Free GAP Handbook to the Ogun State Chapter of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria.

The President of the Association; Comrade Adeola Adegoke dropped the hint during the delivery of his speech, he said, “the launching of the free distribution of Cocoa GAP Handbook across the entire cocoa producing states and Ogun State today will mark Nigeria path to sustainable cocoa production and good agronomic practices in the cocoa supply chain ahead of other cocoa producing countries like Ivory Coast, Ghana and Indonesia. Our focus is to become the highest sustainable cocoa producing country in the World in the year 2027 with 80 per cent organic cocoa production bean\". He stated that, the feet of 80 per cent organic cocoa production would be unprecedented when achieved in the world cocoa production history.

\"We intend to partner with our value chain stakeholders to increase from the current 10 per cent to 50 per cent our locally processed beans and value addition before export, in order to generate more employment opportunities, more foreign exchange earnings, improved living income of our cocoa farmers via the collection of better pricing, LID and sustainable improved infrastructure around the cocoa communities.”

Furthermore, he made mentioned that the Association in partnership with Harvestfield Industries Limited (CFAN Biggest Partner) , Cocoa Research Institute(CRIN), EBAFOSA, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment are working towards the protection of human rights, remediation and conserving our environment in cocoa communities and plantations.

This is, in response to the EU due diligence framework on child labor eradication and deforestation free cocoa beans production. He went further to mention some of the importance of the GAP Handbook and its effect, if put to correct use in the Cocoa Industry.

CFAN and other value chain partners are currently committed to support a sustainable living income of our smallholder cocoa farmers through the collection of $400 Living Income Differential (LID). Nigeria is regarded to be losing over #60 billion annually for our non-collection of this LID for our cocoa farmers above the floor cocoa price or the International selling cocoa price rate. The facilitation and collection of this LID fund being championed by CFAN are being made possible by the support of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and other value chain partners with the support of the Ghana Cocoa Board.

The Cocoa Supply Chain: From Farmer To Consumer II

Posted on | 2022-04-30

4. Sourcing and Marketing (Continuation).

Sometimes, cocoa beans are sold directly to exporters by cooperatives, or even directly exported. Direct sourcing enhances traceability, proximity, trust, and efficiency in the supply chain.

Step 5

Packing and Shipment

Once cocoa beans have been graded and loaded into cargo vessels, they are shipped either in new jute bags or in bulk. In recent years, shipment of cocoa beans in bulk has been growing in popularity because it can be up to one third cheaper than conventional shipment in jute bags. Loose cocoa beans are loaded either in shipping containers or directly into the hold of the ship, the so-called “mega-bulk” method. The latter mode is often adopted by larger cocoa processors.

Step 6

Processing: Roasting and Grinding

The processing stage typically encompasses roasting and grinding of cocoa beans. In the past, these operations were performed almost entirely in importing countries, but, nowadays, origin countries are also increasingly engaged in processing.

Cocoa is roasted to reduce water content and to obtain rich aromas and flavor from the beans. This can be done on the whole beans before shelling (i.e. bean roasting), or on the nib after shelling (i.e. nib roasting). Sometimes, the removed shell that covers the nibs is sold and used as agricultural mulch or by fertilizer producers. After the beans are roasted, they undergo other processes, including alkalization, which makes semi-finished cocoa products darker and reduces their acidity. The time and temperature for roasting the beans are key determinants of the flavor of the semi-finished products.

After the beans have been shelled and roasted, the nibs are ground to produce fine cocoa liquor under high temperatures. The cocoa liquor may be used directly as an ingredient for chocolate. Otherwise, it is pressed through a fine sieve or by using extraction solvents to obtain cocoa butter, leaving a solid material called cocoa cake or press cake. The extracted cocoa butter is then filtered and stored in tanks in liquid form for use in chocolate manufacturing. The cake is either broken into smaller pieces and sold in generic cocoa markets or pulverized to produce a fine cocoa powder. Cocoa cake generally varies in terms of the fat content, depending how much fat has been pressed out. This determines the end use, ranging from drinking chocolate to bakery products.

Step 7

Manufacturing and Distribution

To create chocolate, cocoa liquor and butter are mixed with inputs such as sugar, vanilla, emulsifying agents, and milk. They then undergo a refining process through a series of rollers. An additional process called conching may be performed, ranging from a few hours to several days to further develop the flavor and texture. The resulting mixture, often called “couverture”, is shipped in tanks in liquid or solid form, or it is tempered and poured into molds for use by confectioners and bakers. In some cases, ‘couverture’ chocolate is used in-house to produce consumer products.

Step 8

Retail

The final step of the cocoa supply chain includes packaging, commercial marketing, and retailing. Chocolate products are sold through grocery stores wholesalers, and online. Furthermore, some chocolate manufacturers have their own branded retail stores to capture a larger consumer base. Chocolate retailing markets can be categorized by types (i.e. dark, milk, or white chocolate) or by sales categories, including every day, premium, or seasonal chocolate. Each category provides specific market opportunities.

Compiled by
World Cocoa Foundation
www.worldcocoafoundation.org

The Cocoa Supply Chain: From Farmer To Consumer

Posted on | 2022-04-30

Step 1

Growing Cocoa Tree

Cocoa is usually grown by smallholder farmers on farms averaging 2 to 4 hectares in size. It is found in hot and humid regions, mostly in West Africa (Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana), Latin America (Ecuador), and South East Asia (Indonesia). There are three main varieties of cocoa trees: Criollo, Trinitario, and Forastero (Amelonado).

Cocoa trees often grow under the protective shadow of plants such as banana, plantains, and palm trees. They tolerate a wide variety of soil types but are vulnerable to lack of water. Variations in the yield of cocoa trees are affected more by rainfall than by any other climatic factor. Rainfall should be plentiful and well distributed through the year, with levels between 1,500mm and 2,000mm. Dry spells, where rainfall is less than 100mm a month, should not exceed three months. Good agricultural practices, such as weeding, pruning, applying fertilizer, and pest and disease control, are needed for thriving cocoa trees. Cocoa trees can live up to 100 years but are most productive for about 25 to 30 years.

Step 2

Harvesting and Pod Breaking

Cocoa pods containing cocoa beans grow from the trunk and branches of the cocoa tree. Harvesting involves removing ripe pods from the trees and opening them to extract the wet beans. Pods are suitable for harvest for 3 to 4 weeks, after which time the beans begin to germinate. It is therefore necessary to harvest at regular intervals as the pods do not all ripen at the same time. The pods are harvested manually by making a clean cut through the stalk with a well sharpened blade.

Farmers open the pods to remove the beans within a week to 10 days after harvesting. In general, the harvested pods are grouped together and split either in or at the edge of the farm. If the pods are opened in the planting areas, the discarded husks can be distributed throughout the fields to return nutrients to the soil. The best way to open pods is to use a wooden club which, if it strikes the central area of the pod, causes it to split into two halves. It is then easy to remove the beans by hand.

Within a crop season, cocoa trees generally flower and produce pods in two cycles of six months

Step 3

Fermentation and Drying

Cocoa beans are normally fermented and dried on the farm or in the farmer’s village. After the cocoa pods are harvested and split, the pulp-covered beans are stored in boxes or baskets or heaped into piles and covered with mats or banana or plantain leaves. The pulp layer heats up in the sun and ferments the beans. This process, which may last three to seven days, is an essential step that enhances the flavor of the cocoa beans. Poorly fermented cocoa beans develop little cocoa flavor while over-fermented beans produce an acidic taste.

After fermentation, the beans are dried, preferably in the sun, for about five to seven days. Beans are spread out on mats, trays, or concrete floors. The drying stops the fermentation process and enhances the storability of the beans. The beans are normally turned or raked to ensure aeration and uniformity of drying. The drying rate during this process is important for the final quality of the cocoa beans. It must not be too quick in order to avoid acidic flavor. But if it is too slow, it will result in low acidity, poorer color, and a high presence of mold.

Step 4

Sourcing and Marketing

After the beans are dried, they are cleaned to remove defects. Then they are weighed and packed into jute sacks. Farmers sell the sacks of beans to an intermediary representing a buying company sourcing directly from the farmers.

Farmers then transport the bags to an exporting company. The exporting company inspects and grades the cocoa, and sends it to a warehouse near a port. Sometimes additional drying is necessary at this point.

But the structure and length of this supply chain can differ. Intermediaries such as small traders and wholesalers can play a role between cocoa farmers and exporters as described above.

Cfan Commits To Increase Nigeria Cocoa Production

Posted on | 2022-04-22

The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) has promised Nigerians that the country will be the highest cocoa producer in West Africa by 2027 and increase the metric tonne produced by the country from 340,000 to 500,000 comes 2024.

Comrade Adegoke Adeola during the Free Distribution of GAP Handbook in Akure, the State Capital of Ondo State at the CFAN House, on 21st April, 2022 said in the delivery of his speech that, \"CFAN commitment to increase Nigeria cocoa production in conjunction with other value chain stakeholders from the present about 340,000 MT to 500,000 MT by 2024 and to be the highest cocoa producer in the year 2027 in West Africa with sustainable cocoa beans remains the core cocoa policy. This ambition is anchored on improved cocoa variety, national cocoa farm irrigation, the improvements of the livelihood of our smallholder cocoa farmers via the collection of $400 Living Income Differential(LID) and the overall improvements of the cocoa sector from research, inputs, production , value addition , processing to export\".

Moving forward, Adeola added that, \"CFAN idea of producing the Cocoa GAP HandBook and also making it available free to the cocoa farmers in Nigeria, in conjunction with Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria , EBAFOSA, Harvestfield Industries Limited, Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment , Cocoa producing State Governments and other stakeholders, is our own contribution to the sustainability of the cocoa supply chain in Nigeria as the singular commodity that gives the highest foreign exchange earnings, apart from crude oil from the recent figures released by the CBN and provide incomes to more than two millions cocoa families and over $100 million investment in the sector.\"

He went further to enlighten and train the cocoa farmers on responsible use of pesticides, GAP, child labour eradication, certification, traceability, deforestation, ecosystem, climate change, MRL and climate smart cocoa practices cannot be overemphasized considering the EU \"Due Diligence\" introduced in the world cocoa supply chain and the threat to ban all cocoa beans that are not sustainable sourced (Farm to Table). The poor cocoa quality being experienced by cocoa buyers and exporter which have degraded and devalue the once preferred Nigeria cocoa beans at international market is not acceptable any longer to us. The smallholder cocoa farmers must be guided and supported on responsible and acceptable International cocoa practices without any excuse.

CFAN DISTRIBUTED FREE GAP HANDBOOK TO HER MEMBERS

Posted on | 2022-04-22

Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria(CFAN) is an Association of smallholder cocoa farmers of Nigeria with her branches cutting across the major cocoa producing States, local governments and communities e.g; Ondo, Cross River, Oyo, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Osun, Kwara, Adamawa, Taraba, Kogi , Abia and kwara states.

The Association has been representing the interest of the smallholder cocoa farmers in Nigeria since the year 1999 and the Association came to fill the gap noticed in the cocoa industry after the abolition of the cocoa board in the year 1986, where cocoa farmers were adjudged not to have nationally strong presence like buyers, exporters, processors and exporters in Nigeria. The birth of CFAN thereafter filled the vacuum noticed amongst the cocoa farmers since year 1999.

Recalling with nostalgia the status of CFAN in Cross River State when my leadership was just inaugurated in the year 2019 and we were in the state for the Cross River State Cocoa Roundtable Conference in partnership with Harvestfield Industries Limited (CFAN biggest partner in West Africa ), and we saw the Association sharply divided with little presence in the state cocoa affairs due to lack of cohesion despite that CRS remains the fastest growing second largest cocoa producing state with youth vigour after Ondo State and it was like a dream come true today with the present large membership of the Association showcasing the strong cocoa culture in Cross-River and Ikom in particular. The Association large membership, cohesion and unity in Cross-River has endeared us now to many stakeholders who were hitherto our distance friends.

CFAN concept of producing the Cocoa GAP Handbook and also making sure that we distribute it free to the cocoa farmers in conjunction with CRIN , EBAFOSA, Harvestfield Industries Limited, Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment with other stakeholders, are our contributions towards the sustainability of the cocoa supply chain in Nigeria as the singular commodity that gives the highest foreign exchange earnings apart from crude oil and provide incomes to more than two millions cocoa connected families and over $100 million investment in the sector .The need to enlighten and train our cocoa farmers on responsible use of pesticides, child labour eradication, certification, traceability, MRL, deforestation, ecosystem and climate smart practices are very crucial to our ambition of making Nigeria to produce five hundred thousand metric tons in the next two years and the highest cocoa producer in West Africa in the next five years, with the best quality beans that are produced in line with international acceptable best practices. We want our cocoa stakeholders to be assured that our own realistic cocoa pyramid is coming very soon.

We are currently pursuing the improvement of the living income of our smallholder cocoa farmers that is very poor and unacceptable , where cocoa beans pricing is still in tandem with neo colonial mentality at the International market, that does not consider cocoa farmers investment on input vis-a-vis output cost price for the survival and sustainability of the cocoa production subsector.

It therefore our belief that this Cocoa GAP Handbook would be given to all the cocoa farmers across the cocoa producing local governments and communities in conjunction with our traditional rulers in Cross-River, for us to comply with international best practices and due diligence needed in the sector. This book has taken care of the noticed gaps in our cocoa affairs and provided our cocoa farmers with smart adaptation strategies to mitigate the challenges. The book is FREE and should not be sold! And, we\'re preparing to distribute nothing less than ten thousand copies of the book per the major cocoa-producing States in Nigeria.

The Effect Of Cocoa Plantation To The Nigerian Economy

Posted on | 2022-04-20

It is no longer a news that the Cocoa Industry has been in existence years back in the 1950s. The Industry has contributed immensely to the growth of the Nigerian Economy before the country solely relied on Crude Oil has the major resource for national development.

However, the cocoa industry has not relent in her services to uphold the Nigerian Economy. Hence, this article will be discussing the effects of Cocoa on the Nigerian Economy.

Firstly, Cocoa is a significant contributor to the economic growth in Nigeria. Over the past three decades, cocoa alone has contributed
an annual average of US$313million to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. However, the growth potentials of cocoa beans and cocoa products are yet to be fully exploited nationally for industrial, and sustainable development on a competitive basis. It has therefore become necessary for the country to diversify the sources of its foreign exchange earnings through increased export competitiveness of cocoa-based products in the global market.

The importance of Cocoa in Nigeria as a household cash crop and a key agricultural product in Nigeria – particularly the southwest, cannot be underestimated. It is exported to generate foreign exchange and used for local consumption as a major food ingredient for all age groups. It remains one of the fastest selling and most desirable agricultural commodity in both the local and international markets. The demand is very robust, moving in progression with the rapid growth and expansion of chocolate confectioneries and other related products made from cocoa.

Ensuring that that cocoa productivity and the income generated by cocoa farmers remains stable is a priority for the sustainability of cocoa, and cocoa products, in Nigeria.

Sustainability focuses on meeting present demands without compromising those of the future – it is the ability to maintain production at a certain rate or level. The concept of sustainability is composed of three factors: economic, environmental, and social. Ensuring that cocoa is sustainably produced is now an economic concern not just to the government – already facing a low foreign exchange from cocoa – but also to the manufacturers of cocoa products.

Nigeria’s Cocoa Production To Surpass IvoryCoast, Ghana

Posted on | 2022-01-30

Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) has promised to boost the country’s production capacity to surpass both Ivory Coast and Ghana in the next five years.

CFAN says this will be achieved through a sustainable cocoa production to grow the nation’s foreign exchange earnings and Gross Domestic Product respectively.



National President of CFAN, Mr Adeola Adegoke, stated this on Tuesday at the opening of the association’s office in Abuja.

Adegoke said activities to be performed to increase the production capacity would be the launching of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), a training book for the smallholder cocoa farmers among others.



He said the target was to push the country’s cocoa production from the current 250,000 metric tons to 500,000 metric tons in the next two years with the finest premium quality cocoa in the world.

Adegoke said the cocoa would be produced in a sustainable path where the ecosystem would be sustainably and environmentally preserved.



The president said smallholder cocoa farmers would be improved through the implementation of the collection of 400 dollars per ton support.

He said this was aside the floor price being collected in Ivory Coast and Ghana respectively to support their smallholder cocoa farmers.



“We raised an alarm on the low quality of our cocoa beans and the need for our

nation to brace up to change this narrative.

“This is in order to prevent our cocoa from being rejected now and in the future or being sanctioned.

“This could subsequently lead to the blockage of other opportunities that could improve the livelihood of our farmers.

“Against the above backdrop, there is need for our association with other stakeholders to take a position among others to launch this GAP book.



“It will be launched in collaboration with Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria and the Ecosystem Based Adaptation for food Security Assembly Nigeria.

“We are therefore willing and ready to partner with relevant cocoa stakeholders not only in Nigeria but in the cocoa world.

“This is in order to make the GAP book available free of charge to our smallholder cocoa farmers in all the cocoa producing communities and cocoa producing states in Nigeria,” Adegoke said.

He said the association would collaborate with cocoa stakeholders in conjunction with extension officers in tree crops and the private sector on how to train smallholder farmers on sustainable cocoa production.



Adegoke said the association had decided to set up a task force on monitoring and enforcement to ensure smallholder farmers followed the required standard outline in the GAP book.

“This will be done particularly considering safe use of pesticide, child labour free, prevention of deforestation, putting traceability in place, having sustainable ecosystem and good quality cocoa in general,” he added. (NAN)


To read more: https://www.thebridgenewsng.com/2022/01/18/nigeria s-cocoa-farmers-target-production-to-surpass-ivory -coast-ghana/

Cocoa Farmers Target Production To Surpass Ivory Coast,

Posted on | 2022-01-30

Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) said it is targeting to surpass the production capacity of Ivory Coast and Ghana in the next five years through a sustainable cocoa production

The farmers said this move would grow the nation’s foreign exchange earnings and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Comrade Adeola Adegoke, National President of CFAN, disclosed this on Tuesday at the opening of the Association’s National office in Abuja.

He noted that there would be a launching of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), a training book for the smallholder cocoa farmers among others which form part of the activities to drive the cocoa industry.

Adegoke said the aim is to push the country’s cocoa production from the current 250,000 metric tons to 500,000 metric tons in the next two years with the best and finest cocoa premium quality in the world.

Adipolo
Adipolo
He words: “Our focus as a nation is to surpass the production and production capacity of both Ivory Coast and Ghana in the next five years through a sustainable cocoa production where we will have a more realistic largest cocoa pyramid in the world in Nigeria to grow our foreign exchange earnings and GDP respectively.

“We raised an alarm on the low quality of our cocoa beans and the need for our nation to brace up to change this narrative in order to prevent our cocoa from being rejected now and in the future or being sanctioned which could lead to the blockage of other opportunities that could improve the livelihood of our cocoa farmers in Nigeria.

“Against the above backdrop, hence the need for our association with other stakeholders to take a position among others to launch this GAP book in collaboration with Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), the Ecosystem-Based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly Nigeria (EBAFOSA) for achieving transparency and the sustainability of our cocoa supply chain taking to cognizance the protection of our environment and our biodiversity sustainably.
https://tribuneonlineng.com/cocoa-farmers-targ et-production-to-surpass-ivory-coast-ghana-in-five -years/