Clarion Olusegun
The Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA), Nigeria Chapter has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the cocoa sector, increasing global production, and enhancing farmers’ livelihoods in Nigeria through sustainable practices.
This was stated at the association’s maiden meeting of Nigeria’s chapter recently, in Akure.
According to a statement signed by Oyindamola Akande, COFAAA Admin, Nigeria Chapter, and made available to Agronigeria, the Global President of the Association, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, in his opening address, highlighted the strategic importance of COFAAA at the African level and the benefits to cocoa farmers in Nigeria.
His words: “COFAAA aims to empower African cocoa farmers, improve their livelihoods, and increase Africa’s global cocoa production share through sustainable practices.”The Comrade, also the President of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, who presided over the meeting, highlighted the need to improve agronomic practices and post-harvest processing capabilities of cocoa farmers through high-level capacity training and advocacy.
He added that: “This is necessary for Nigeria not only to increase her share of cocoa production quota but also to improve cocoa quality. This is the best way to market the African cocoa economy, giving the best value for fair cocoa pricing at the global market.
”The statement further noted that the Comrade urged COFAAA State Chairmen across the cocoa-producing states in Nigeria to be selfless in their actions and prioritize cocoa farmers’ welfare to achieve the association’s goals.
He reiterated the need for members to collaborate with other stakeholders—particularly policymakers, buyers, processors, exporters, research institutes, and extensionists to make Nigeria’s cocoa industry sustainable and internationally acceptable through due diligence.
He explained COFAAA’s plans to strengthen the framework of youth inclusiveness in the cocoa value chain in Africa.
Meanwhile, he lauded global cocoa institutions, cocoa-origin countries’ governments, and other cocoa companies working in African cocoa ecosystems for their support in growing the African cocoa economy through better support for smallholder cocoa farmers, who account for 70% of global cocoa production.
Recall that the Nigerian chapter of COFAAA was recently launched in Ibadan, followed shortly by the maiden meeting to discuss the way forward.In attendance were State Chairmen of the Association with their members from various cocoa-producing communities.
Participants discussed the challenges and opportunities in the Nigerian cocoa economy and lauded the Global President for his pragmatic leadership, promising to work collectively for the growth of the association at the farm-gate level.
