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FG Seeks to Boost Cocoa Production to 1 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum

By on August 6, 2012

Cocoa Pods

As part of its Agricultural Transformation plans, the Federal Government seeks to boost the country’s capacity for cocoa production from its current 250,000 tonnes/annum to 500,000 tonnes by 2015 and 1 million tonnes by 2018.

Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday.

He said the plans by government would increase the income for cocoa farmers by $450/hectare on a yearly basis. He also said 390,000 jobs would be created in the sector.

Oyemomi said, “Our main goal is to raise national cocoa production to at least 500,000 metric tonnes by 2015 and one million MT by 2018 from the current dismal production of 250,000 MT per annum through sustainable and better plantation management practice.

“We will also improve the means of livelihood of at least 100,000 farmers by increasing the yield per hectare and cocoa income by $450 yearly in 250, 000 farm households in the cocoa producing states over the next four years and creating at least 390,000 jobs in the cocoa subsector.”

Government would introduce a Cocoa Marketing and Trade Corporation that would help guarantee minimum price for cocoa in the world market soon.

He said, “The ministry will remain focused on achieving its objectives of restoring Nigeria to its glorious position of the largest cocoa producer in the world by faithfully implementing the robust cocoa transformation agenda.

“The ministry is working towards the incorporation of the Cocoa Marketing Trade Corporation. This institution will guarantee minimum price for cocoa in an assured market. It will protect the farmer from the vagaries of the world cocoa market.

“Efforts are being made to rehabilitate old cocoa plantations in the country and we are putting in place a cocoa quality improvement and branding mechanism.”

He added, “A fundamental principle of cocoa transformation is the strong engagement of the private sector in driving a vibrant cocoa industry.”