C’River begins massive cocoa plantations, aims to surpass Cote d’Ivoire
Cross River has embarked on planting of new high-yield cocoa plantations, rehabilitating and regenerating of dying cocoa plantations in Etung, Boki, Ikom and other cocoa local government councils in the state. The state is aiming to surpass Ivory Coast which is reportedly the number one cocoa producing country in Africa and the world. In an […]
C’River begins massive cocoa plantations
Cross River has embarked on planting of new high-yield cocoa plantations, rehabilitating and regenerating of dying cocoa plantations in Etung, Boki, Ikom and other cocoa local government councils in the state.
The state is aiming to surpass Ivory Coast which is reportedly the number one cocoa producing country in Africa and the world.
In an event with the theme, “Nigeria Cocoa Industry: Past, Present and Future”, organized by the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and investment, with representations from the Presidency, Dr Oscar Ofuka, special adviser on cocoa development in the state, said they had raised and distributed millions of improved varieties of seedlings to farmers in the three senatorial districts of the state for massive cultivation.
He said, “By this revolution, our young people are being encouraged to go into massive production of the crop in both the Savannah and rainforest belts to enable massive annual production for international markets.
“Cross River State is working hard in readiness to take over from Cote D’Ivoire as the world leading cocoa producing economy.
“The cocoa revolution undertaken by the state will result in massive advancement and expansion in the value chain. We are already adopting measures that would change the current narrative in the Cocoa value chain in the country.”
According to him, young people and women have benefitted from allocation of cocoa plots under the Small Holders Scheme initiated as a means of job and wealth creation to boost the economy of the state.
He disclosed that the state had also built an ultra-modern cocoa processing factory.
National President of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Comrade Adeola Adegoke, decried the neglect of cocoa farmers as well as funding of cocoa business in the country.
Adegoke also frowned at the inconsistent regulatory policies.
He called on government and corporate organizations to be interested in policy regulations that would improve on funding measures, research and the resultant massive production of the crop in the country.