Amidst efforts to revolutionize  Nigeria’s Cocoa ecosystem, the federal government has flagged off the  distribution of 1 million improved hybrid cocoa seedlings to revamp Nigeria’s cocoa sector, increase farmers’ income, raise export earnings, and create jobs for Nigerian youth.

Speaking during the flag –off ceremony held at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari mentioned that the flag off marked the commencement of a strategic national intervention to restore the strength of Nigeria’s cocoa industry, improve the livelihoods of our farmers, increase export earnings, and reposition the country as a leading player in the global cocoa economy.

 Kyari disclosed that the high yield seedlings developed by CRIN has in-built disease resistant and climate adaptation traits to be deployed for the rehabilitation of ageing plantations and the establishment of new commercial cocoa farms across the country.

He said although Nigeria has all it takes for become a leading cocoa producing in the world but attributed the low production to ageing plantations, declining productivity, inadequate investment, limited access to improved planting materials, climate-related challenges, and weak value addition.

” These constraints have reduced the nation’s competitiveness in international markets and limited cocoa’s contribution to national economic growth,” he said

To reverse the trend, he disclosed that the Federal Government was implementing policies across productivity, sustainability, financing, research, extension services, market access, and value addition.

“Our objective is clear. We must build a modern, resilient, and globally competitive cocoa industry that delivers prosperity for farmers while contributing significantly to national development,” Sen. Kyari said.

He added that to boost yields, farmers will receive extension support to adopt improved agronomic practices. Government is also expanding local processing capacity to shift from raw bean exports to higher-value products, and driving greater private sector participation to scale investment, technology, and market linkages.

Kyari pointed out that ‘’to meet global standards, the programme includes traceability systems and farm mapping for EU Deforestation Regulation, EUDR, compliance. The National Cocoa Management Committee and the National Task Force on EUDR are coordinating with stakeholders to strengthen these systems and improve market access for premium prices

The Minister called for stronger collaboration among federal and state governments, research institutions, financial institutions, development partners, processors, exporters, and private investors.

“I therefore call on all stakeholders to deepen their investments across the cocoa value chain. Together, we can expand production, improve processing capacity, create employment opportunities, and position Nigeria as a preferred destination for cocoa investment,” he said.

“To our cocoa farmers, today’s programme presents a significant opportunity. The improved seedlings you are receiving are valuable national assets. I encourage you to adopt recommended agronomic practices, work closely with extension officers, and embrace innovations that will improve productivity and sustainability,” the Minister added.

He lauded CRIN for its scientific contribution, and applauded development partners, state governments, private sector organisations, and farmer associations for their collaboration.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, stated that “Cocoa remains one of Nigeria’s most strategic agricultural commodities and a major source of income for farming households across our producing states.

He noted that one of the most significant outcomes of the efforts to revive the sector is the successful production of one million improved cocoa seedlings by CRIN under the Federal Government’s approved Public-Private Partnership Framework.

Dr. Ogunbiyi added that the programme which is a strategic investment in the future of Nigeria’s cocoa economy, is expected to deliver increased productivity, higher incomes for farmers, expanded employment, increased foreign exchange earnings, improved competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

While calling on cocoa farmers to make the best use of the improved seedlings by adopting recommended agronomic practices, the Permanent Secretary stressed that the success of the programme depends not only on government support but also on your commitment to excellence in production.

In a goodwill message, the Olubadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, represented by the Ajiroba of Ibadan, Prof Soji Adejumon stated that the Ibadan communities would continue to support the agricultural policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which is geared towards improving the livelihoods of Nigeria Farmers and achieving food sovereignty.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiary,Mr. Alaba Adegoke, a cocoa farmer, pledged that the farmers would make judicious use of the improved seedlings to increase production and improve their livelihoods.

The Highlight of the event was the distribution of improved seedlings to cocoa farmers across the 14 Producing Cocoa States in Nigeria