Ekiti set to raise 10 million cocoa seedlings

News Update

THE Ekiti State Government has unveiled a plan to raise 10 million cocoa seedlings over the next 10 years as part of efforts to revive cocoa production and restore the state’s position in Nigeria’s cocoa value chain.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, said the initiative was aimed at reversing the long decline in cocoa output, which he attributed to ageing plantations that had exceeded their productive lifespan.

According to a statement in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, Boluwade, who spoke while featuring on a radio programme, said the government hoped to achieve the 10 million seedlings target by producing one million seedlings yearly for the 10 years period.

Boluwade said, “The government is collaborating with the TRACE Project, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture to implement the programme.

“The partnership with the TRACE programme is designed to train and support private cocoa farmers with modern techniques and inputs required to meet production targets.

“The TRACE programme focuses on sustainable cocoa sourcing and improving cocoa quality through expert fermentation processes”.

Boluwade said the programme promoted traceability, environmental protection and ethical production, stressing that cocoa produced under it must not come from deforested areas or involve child labour.

He noted that as part of the pilot phase of the cocoa rejuvenation scheme, 28 farmers developing cocoa nurseries had received irrigation pumps worth millions of naira to support year-round production of cocoa seedlings.

The commissioner said, “Improved, high-yield seedlings are being supplied by the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria and other institutions to boost productivity and sustainability.”

He added that the state government would provide cocoa seedlings and agrochemicals at a 50 per cent subsidy to reduce production costs and encourage farmers’ participation.

Boluwade added, “The government is also prioritising quality and global competitiveness, with farmers receiving training in cocoa traceability to meet international export standards.

“The state is working on plans to leverage the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme, supported by the African Development Bank, to enhance value addition and create jobs in cocoa processing.”

On weather support, he said the Nigerian Meteorological Agency would provide timely forecasts to guide planting, adding that full rainfall was expected by mid-April.

He said that the distribution of subsidised seedlings would be decentralised to ensure access across the state, with farmers to be informed on how to obtain them.

The commissioner said, “The improved cocoa varieties are climate-resilient and can mature within three years, offering quicker returns on investment”.

Boluwade expressed optimism that the initiative would boost cocoa production, create jobs and strengthen the state’s economy.