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Cocoa {Credit: Naija Exports}
The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria and other key stakeholders have vowed to ensure compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulations in Nigeria.
They underscored the need to support the inclusion of youths in cocoa farming and processing through entrepreneurship development for the sustainability of the cocoa sector.
The national president of the association, Adeola Adegoke, disclosed to newsmen on Thursday at the 3rd National Festival held in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State.
He noted that the theme for this year’s festival was carefully selected to x-ray the role of the National Cocoa Management Committee NCMC and others in mobilising stakeholders into EUDR compliance, as well as cocoa value addition and youth inclusion as key to the sustainability of the cocoa industry in Nigeria.
He pointed out numerous issues that have affected productivity and market share in the cocoa sector, citing that farmers are grappling with outdated farming practices, limited access to quality seedlings, poor infrastructure, and a lack of sufficient investment in technology and innovation.
He noted that the idea behind the festival is due to cocoa’s relevance to play a very pivotal role in the livelihoods, revenue generation as well as fostering employment opportunities in the country.
“This festival has always provided an opportunity to crystalise, consummate and enhance developmental sustainability in ideas where Cocoa industry players can network amongst themselves to facilitate the growth and development of the sector,” he noted.
Adegoke disclosed that the first and second national cocoa festivals took place in Akure, Ondo State, and Abuja, respectively, which necessitated the hosting of this year’s festival in Calabar, Cross River State.
He commended the support of Governor Bassey Otu, executive director, ICCO, Mitchel Arrion, stakeholders, and groups for the partnership resolved to tackle environmental challenges and EUDR implementation in order to grow and secure more investment in the cocoa industry.
The Governor of Cross River state; Bassey Otu, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Ebokpo, congratulated the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, for organising the cocoa festival and for the choice of his state as the host.
He said that, as a state, there are strategic plans for the Cocoa industry for the next 7 years. He said the strategic plans are meant to address two major issues; the market system and sustainability in line with EUDR.
Otu noted, “For us in Cross River State, the microeconomic challenges we face today have thrown us into a state of multidimensional nature. And we have decided that cocoa is going to be our key and a major driver of economic development in the state. We have decided to take actions on policy development and to add value to Cocoa in compliance with EUDR”
He said that the state is currently producing about 58 to 62 thousand tonnes of cocoa annually and is cultivating about 123 thousand hectares of land with an average yield of 300 to 370 per hectare.
“We are equally reviewing the existing produce laws, which will soon be sent to the House of Assembly. The ultimate aim is to make us begin to add value. Whether we are doing it at the primary or secondary levels, because we want to create more jobs and draw direct foreign investors to the Cocoa industry”, he added.
He called on the traditional rulers and communities to encourage the inclusion of youths in Cocoa farming, processing, and management.
Chairman of the event and former Member of the House of Representatives, representing Akamkpa /Biase Federal Constituency, Daniel Asukwo, noted that Cocoa was, and still is, a symbol of Nigeria’s agricultural strength, and it played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s economic growth during the post-independence era.
He said that the theme of this year’s festival comes at a crucial time when the cocoa industry faces significant challenges, both domestically and globally.
“Historically, Nigeria was a powerhouse in cocoa production, ranking as the second-largest exporter and contributing significantly to the global cocoa economy,” he added.
He said in compliance with the new international regulations, such as the EUDR, farmers who are already struggling to meet export demands due to the depreciation of the naira against major currencies shall be given empowerment to meet global needs.
He said the cocoa industry has been the pride of Nigeria’s agricultural economy and the increase in the cost of imported inputs, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and equipment, which has led to reduced profit, shall be adequately addressed
