Despite governments’ promises, no rebound for Nigeria’s struggling cocoa sector
According to PricewaterhouseCoopers , an international auditing firm, Ondo being the largest cocoa producing state in Nigeria, has an output capacity of about 77,000 tons annually.
“We have cocoa that has spent over four to five years inside the forest with no one to assist in harvesting, no capital to employ people to work and no basic tools and inputs to help ease the process,” Mr Akinsanya said in a tone laced with hopelessness. “The government knows better ways to assist more than I do. However, we need chemicals, cocoa seeds, cutlass, hoes, even farm boots that we wear to the farm. The government should please assist us in this regard,” Mr Abel said.Roland Obi, 28, is a cocoa farmer in Balep, a community that prides itself with mass production of cocoa, banana, and timber in Ikom, Cross River, a state in Nigeria’s south south region.
“I buy a sachet of the chemical I do spray on this farm N400, I need up to 400 sachets on this very farm, now multiply the figures you know what I mean, it is not easy” he added.Takim Ayok, in his late 60s, wants the government to do more to boost the morale of farmers in Cross River. Data from PwC indicates that a combination of rural poverty, increasing rural-urban migration, land degradation and the absence of incentives have kept production at a subsistence level.
“Palm trees do not require much fertilizers or any form of chemicals so long you can take good care of it,” she said. “That is what we focus on now so that we can sponsor our children to school. As you can see, we’re on our way to harvest palm trees.” Farmers captured under this programme include those cultivating cereals, cotton, roots and tubers, sugarcane, tree crops legumes, tomato and livestock.
Also, Sayina Rima, the president of Cocoa Association of Nigeria could not be reached for comments on this story.Rasheed Adedeji, the Director of Cocoa Research Department of Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria said the major reason why Nigeria still lags behind in cocoa production globally could also be a failure to pass across technologies to cocoa farmers.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Police parade murder, kidnap, armed robbery suspects in Ondo - Daily Post NigeriaThe Ondo State Police Command on Thursday paraded suspected criminals alleged to have been terrorizing various parts of the state. Among the suspects
Read more »
'Herbalist' Arrested With Human Parts In Ondo | Sahara ReportersIkoro said one Ahmed Odere known as teacher, discovered a foul smell in their building at the Owani area of Idoani and reported to the police.
Read more »
Two remanded for murder in OndoTwo persons, Saliu Jegede aged 42 and Friday Ndubuisi, have been remanded to the Nigeria Correctional Center by an Akure Chief Magistrate...
Read more »
Police nab notorious sea pirate in Ondo - The Nation NewsMen of the Ondo State Police Command on Thursday arrested a notorious sea pirate, Ayetiniyi Ademola, whose gang robbed the...
Read more »
Don't panic over coronavirus, Nigeria tells diplomats - Premium Times NigeriaThe federal government on Thursday assured diplomats living within the nation that there was no need to panic over the confirmation of coronavirus in Nigeria.
Read more »
Nigeria reopens fishing festival after 10 years - Premium Times NigeriaTen years after its closedown due to insecurity, Argungu international fishing and cultural festival has commenced.
Read more »