Follow Us on Google
The Federal Government has rolled out 1 million improved hybrid Cocoa seedlings to revamp Nigeria’s cocoa sector, increase farmers’ income, raise export earnings, and create jobs and revolutionize the ecosystem.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari, who spoke at the flag –off exercise at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), in Oyo State, said the initiative was under the National Cocoa Development Plan being implemented to transform agriculture into a primary driver of economic prosperity.
Kyari said: “Today’s event is not merely the distribution of planting materials. It is the commencement of a strategic national intervention to restore the strength of Nigeria’s cocoa industry, improve the livelihoods of our farmers, increase export earnings, and reposition our country as a leading player in the global cocoa economy.”
The minister noted that Nigeria has all the fundamentals to become one of the world’s leading cocoa producing nations, citing suitable ecological conditions, experienced farmers, strong research institutions, and a growing private sector.
He attributed low production to ageing plantations, declining productivity, inadequate investment, limited access to improved planting materials, climate-related challenges, and weak value addition.
These constraints, he said have reduced the nation’s competitiveness in international markets and limited cocoa’s contribution to national economic growth.
To reverse the trend, he disclosed that the Federal Government is implementing policies across productivity, sustainability, financing, research, extension services, market access, and value addition.
Other News
“Our objective is clear. We must build a modern, resilient, and globally competitive cocoa industry that delivers prosperity for farmers while contributing significantly to national development.
“At the heart of the initiative is the nationwide distribution of one million improved cocoa seedlings developed by CRIN.
“The seedlings are high-yielding, mature earlier, and have built-in disease resistance and climate adaptation traits. They will be deployed for the rehabilitation of ageing plantations and the establishment of new commercial cocoa farms across the country,’’ he said.
He added that to boost yields, farmers will receive extension support to adopt improved agronomic practices. Government is also expanding local processing capacity to shift from raw bean exports to higher-value products, and driving greater private sector participation to scale investment, technology, and market linkages.
“To our cocoa farmers, today’s programme presents a significant opportunity. The improved seedlings you are receiving are valuable national assets. I encourage you to adopt recommended agronomic practices, work closely with extension officers, and embrace innovations that will improve productivity and sustainability,” the Minister added.
In his address, the Olubadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, represented by the Ajiroba of Ibadan, Prof Soji Adejumon, stated that the Ibadan communities would continue to support the agricultural policies of President Bola Tinubu which is to improve the livelihoods of farmers.
On behalf of the beneficiary, Alaba Adegoke, a cocoa farmer, pledged that the farmers would make judicious use of the improved seedlings to increase production and improve their livelihoods.
