Clarion Olusegun
Nigeria’s cocoa production is projected to increase by 10% by the year 2028, according to the prediction by the Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA) and the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN).
This was disclosed following the third round of free hybrid cocoa seedling distribution to farmers, recently in Ondo State.
The details of the event which was organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) were made available to AgroNigeria on Tuesday.
AgroNigeria gathered that the distribution launched by the Executive Director/ CEO of NEPC, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, was implemented through the NEPC Ondo State office under the management of Mrs. Abe Iyabode.
The initiative was part of an ongoing strategy to boost productivity and export value in Nigeria’s cocoa sector, particularly in Ondo, one of the country’s top cocoa-producing states.
According to the report, the distribution, which took place on July 17 at the COFAAA & CFAN Secretariat, popularly known as “Cocoa House” in Akure, marked the third of such interventions this year by NEPC.
The seedlings were distributed to cocoa farmers across various local government areas in Ondo State to support the current planting season.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Iyabode, Ondo State Coordinator for NEPC, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to enhancing the export potential of Nigerian cocoa through strategic agricultural interventions.
In her words: “Today, we gather to mark an important milestone in our efforts to boost Cocoa production in Nigeria. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council is committed to supporting increase in export volume and export value of Cocoa beans and it derivatives.
“The distribution of hybrid seedling to Cocoa farmers is a crucial step towards increasing production capacity for export.
“This initiative is designed to provide farmers with high breed Cocoa seedling improved yields and enhance the overall competitiveness of Nigeria’s Cocoa industry, this is the third series of distribution of cocoa seedlings to our farmers for this year’s planting period.
Also present at the event were key stakeholders, including the President of COFAAA and CFAN, Comrade Adeola Adegoke; COFAAA State Chairman, Alfa Musa Tiamiyu; CFAN State Chairman, Mr. Dongo Sunday; representatives from the Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture, Cocoa Revolution Agency, and the Bank of Agriculture.
In his remarks, Comrade Adegoke described the NEPC initiative as a game-changer for local farmers.
“This consistent and strategic support from NEPC is laying the groundwork for increased yields and long-term growth in the sector,” he said.
