Dwindling cocoa production worries FG

Worried at the persistent decline in cocoa production in the country, the federal government has initiated strategy to improve its production as a source of non-oil export commodity.

The Executive Director of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, said this at an export skill acquisition program for cocoa farmers, merchants and exporters which held in Ini local government area of Akwa Ibom state.

Awolowo who was represented by a director in the Council, Mr Samuel Inyang, said the council, worried by the downward trends had sponsored a team of students to understudy the demand and supply situations of Nigeria cocoa in the US markets.

He said. “Historically, Nigeria cocoa production was competitive with other African countries such as Ghana and Cote D’Ivore until 1984. As at 2015, while Cote D’Ivore and Ghana could boast of production level of 1.7bn metric tons and 800.000 metric tons respectively, Nigeria production still hovers around 220,000 to 250,000 metric tons per annum”.

Awolowo projected that if the recommendations of the team which included increase of yield and increase in prices of cocoa through organic certification and targets of new market in USA were implemented the country could raise its production revenue from its present $0.55bn to $1,1bn by the years 2025.”

 In his remarks, Governor of  Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel who spoke through the commissioner for Agriculture and Food sufficiency , Dr. Charles Udo-Inyang, commended the federal government for the workshop which he said was designed to develop the skills and technical knowledge of the farmers and equip them adequately towards ensuring the country regain its global cocoa market share.

The Commissioner who was also represented by a Director, in the Directorate of Agriculture, Mr Emmanuel Akpan, said Akwa Ibom state is a medium  cocoa producer among the fourteen traditional cocoa producing states in the country with over fifteen LGAs producing cocoa.

He said the state government has promoted cocoa production using Community Plantation Development Scheme established in 2004.

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