Cocoa farmers across Nigeria have appealed to the Federal Government to boost support for research institutes and promote climate-smart agricultural practices to ensure sustainability and global competitiveness in the cocoa industry.
The call was made in a communique issued at the close of the National Cocoa Festival held recently and jointly organised by the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) and the Cocoa Roundtable Initiative (CORI).
The event occurred in Etung Local Government Area. It drew participants from government agencies, research bodies, processors, and cocoa farmers across producing states.
The festival focused on compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulations (EUDR) and promoting sustainability in the cocoa value chain through youth entrepreneurship.
Organisers explained that the goal was to equip stakeholders with strategies to monitor deforestation, map cocoa farmlands, and encourage sustainable practices to guarantee full traceability and due diligence in Nigeria’s cocoa exports.
The farmers spoke on the urgent need for clear policies on agroforestry in cocoa farming. They recommended that stakeholders adopt effective collaboration and feedback mechanisms to address industry gaps.
They urged the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for youth and private sector involvement in the cocoa value chain.
Some of the challenges identified include low domestic consumption of cocoa products, a lack of reliable data on cocoa production, knowledge gaps regarding international regulations such as EUDR, soil degradation, pest attacks, inadequate post-harvest processing facilities, and limited access to affordable financing.
To address these, participants recommended improved infrastructure in cocoa-growing communities, policy action to stabilise the naira, and access to foreign exchange for essential imports.
They also advised the National Cocoa Management Committee (NCMC) to learn from top cocoa-producing countries and establish strong international partnerships.
The communique further proposed that government agencies should collaborate with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria to empower youths in cocoa-related businesses, including soap making, chocolate production, and cocoa powder processing, as part of a broader plan to secure the industry’s future.
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