The Akwa Ibom Government through the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Offiong Offor has implored all cocoa farmers in the state to adopt good agronomic practices in a bid to ensure improved yields.
Offor made the call on Monday at Odoro Ikpe, Ini Local Government Area, during the distribution of cocoa seedlings to farmers to mark the beginning of the 2024 cocoa planting season, where she disclosed that the Akwa Ibom Government had made available over 150,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed to cocoa farmers across the state.
The distribution of the cocoa seedlings, the commissioner said, to farmers signaled a significant step to increased cocoa production and improvement of livelihoods.
His words: “We know the current price of 1kg of cocoa in the market, it is very expensive. So, it is a wake-up call by Gov. Umo Eno for all to return to the farm.
“When you receive the cocoa seedlings, make the best use of them. Do well to maintain good agronomic practices, to reap bountiful harvests.
“This year, we have provided over 150,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed to cocoa farmers in the state. I implore you to make good use of the seedlings.”
The commissioner then urged cocoa farmers to notify extension agents in the ministry early if they were confronted with any challenge.
In his own remarks, the State Chairman, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Ekikere Bassey, stated that it was suitable for agriculture stakeholders to support the cultivation of cocoa to improve the economy of the state.
He said that cocoa farming was a lucrative agribusiness and urged farmers to show interest in the cultivation of the cash crop.