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By Oluseye Ojo
Eight varieties of cocoa that can flower and fruit in 18 months as compared to the usual seven years have been developed by the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, (CRIN).
Executive Director of CRIN, which is owned by the Federal Government,, Dr Patrick Adebola, made the disclosure at the headquarters of the institute in Ibadan, Oyo State, while addressing newsmen ahead of the CRIN’s 60th anniversary slated for Monday, December 9, 2024 as well as the hosting of the 18th edition of the Research Institutes Games of Nigeria (RIGAN) by the institute.
Adebola stated that the eight new varieties of cocoa, which would be showcased during the 60th anniversary, have potentials to make Nigeria become the largest producer of cocoa in the world.
But to achieve the feat, he charged individuals, and the government to embrace cultivation of cocoa, among other cash crops, saying the produce is in increasing demands globally.
According to him, the eight varieties of cocoa developed so far by the Institute “are high yielding, they can yield between 1.5 and 2.5 tons per hectare and are disease resistant, and resilient to climate change.
“We have also developed technologies in terms of packaging of the varieties, which are being extended to farmers.
“The institute has also developed over 25 products and bi-products from the mandate crops such as Chocolate, Choco Garri, Cocoa Bread, Cocoa wine, Cola wine, Coffee wine among others.”
Adebola added that some of the mandate crops bi- products have been processed into feeds for poultry, pigs, snails and other animals.
Noting that the price of Cocoa has reached an all-time high of N15 million per tonne as against N1.8 million in January 2024, Adebola noted that the institute has been able to develop the eight varieties of cocoa to improve productivity and reduce flowering and fruiting time from 84 months to 18 months, thereby saving cocoa farmers 66 months.
He added that, though its price per ton has stabilised at N12 million currently, the product has become a hot cake being sought after by countries of the world.
“Cote D’Ivoire is the largest producer of cocoa, producing about 2 million metric tons, followed by Ghana with 900,000 metric tons. Nigeria is still 300,000 tons. Meanwhile, we have more land and everything than both countries. Nigeria can become number one.
“I believe that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu is doing the right thing because I can see a lot of improvement in terms of support to farmers. That support should reach the right farmers and not the political farmers.
“As at January this year, a ton of Cocoa used to sell for N1.8 million, the price has risen to about N15 million per ton but has now stabilized at N12 million now. That is to tell you that cocoa production is no joke; it is the way to go now.
Highlighting some of the event to mark the 60th Anniversary, Dr Adebola said part of the activities would be the conferment of Awards to President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, past heads of CRIN, and other notable Nigerians who have contributed to the development of the cocoa sector in the country.
Speaking on the 18th Research Institute Games of Nigeria, (RIGAN), being hosted by the CRIN, the National President, Professor Oluwaferanmi Owolade said the objective of the annual games is to foster unity by bringing together sports men and women from 35 research Institutes in the country and to discover hidden talents
Owolade noted that the games have over the years, produced the likes of Austin Eguavoen, Mutiu Adepoju, Dimeji Lawal amongst others
