Cocoa farmers target 500,000MT in 2024, launch handbook

Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) has said that by launching the free distribution of the Cocoa GAP Handbook across the entire cocoa producing states, Abia in particular, it has charted Nigeria’s path to achieving 100 per cent cocoa production with 500,000 metric tons target and sustainable practices in its supply chain in 2024 and the highest producer by 2027.

FAN also stated that, in this regard, it has started providing 12,500 seedlings to Abia State Cocoa farmers, adding that currently, CFAN is collaborating with Harvestfield Industries Ltd, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), EBAFOSA Nigeria, Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and other stakeholders on how to increase cocoa and forestry practices towards improving transparency across the cocoa supply chain.

National President of CFAN, Adeola Adegoke, who made this scenario known in Umuahia, the state capital during the flagging-off of the free distribution of the Cocoa GAP Handbook, disclosed that it is the need to improve the income of its smallholder cocoa farmers, vis-a-vis their standard of living, that led CFAN to partner with the federal government through the FMARD, FMITI and the National Assembly on the need for Nigeria to join Cote d’ voire and Ghana in the collection of $400 Living Income Differential ( LID) for smallholder cocoa farmers of Nigeria as a matter of priority.

While flagging off the Handbook distribution, the Abia Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Don Ubani, said his government would, as one that appreciates the importance of agriculture and endorsed the formation of CFAN, as well as sustain partnership with it. He noted that agriculture is the highest employer and not government.