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Experts advise govt on cocoa cultivation

By on May 5, 2013

The Managing Director, Cocoa Products Limited, Ile Oluji, Mr. Akin Olusuyi, has urged the Federal Government and governments of cocoa producing states to show greater commitment to production of the crop for economic prosperity.

Olusuji spoke on Friday during a media forum on cocoa beverage at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan.

He said the call was necessary considering the economic and nutritional values of the crop.

He said, “The general wellbeing of Nigerians can take a turn for the better if they are properly educated and mobilised to cultivate the cocoa eating habit.

“This will impact positively not only on the general health of the citizens but also on the economy of the nation. After all, a nation is as healthy as her citizens.

“On the economic front, this will encourage value addition to our cocoa and expand the local processing capacity with employment generation prospect and increase in revenue and GDP.”

A cocoa researcher at CRIN, Dr. Olayiwola Olubamiwa, said the health and economic value of cocoa was immense.

He said, “To reap the full nutritional value of cocoa beverage, it is better to take it without milk. The correct drinking of unsweetened cocoa beverages can help in the prevention of malaria, high blood pressure, diabetes, fatigue and stress.

“Most cocoa beverages in the market contain less than 10 per cent of the cocoa powder that are a rich source of flavanols required by the body for good health.

“Cocoa powder has a higher amount of antioxidants even in comparison with dark chocolate, and so makes it the best cocoa form that people should take as part of their diet.”

He explained that the insulin produced after ingesting cocoa powder was more active and better at preventing high blood glucose level preceding diabetes.

Olubamiwa added that the food product was good for patients with breast cancer and persistent coughs, adding that public awareness was necessary to carry the public along.

 

 

 

 

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