The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has called for the revival of the cocoa sector to enhance its contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.
The National Publicity Secretary of AFAN, Mr Femi Oke, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
Oke said cocoa, once one of Nigeria’s leading cash crops, had lost its prominence and required urgent intervention to restore its status.
“Cocoa has historically been one of the most profitable commodities for farmers.
“Both the government and farmers recorded substantial returns from its cultivation and sale in the past.
“However, the sector is no longer performing as it did in earlier years, despite strong demand for cocoa in international markets.
“Many Nigerian cocoa farmers are lagging behind, and something has clearly gone wrong.
“We need to restore the sector to its former glory so that Nigeria can regain its position as one of the world’s leading cocoa producers,” he said.
Oke also stressed the need for farmers to embrace value addition rather than limiting their activities to the sale of raw cocoa beans.
According to him, processing cocoa into products such as powder and other by-products offers significantly higher returns and increases the sector’s contribution to the nation’s economy.
“Cocoa trade in Nigeria should go beyond selling raw beans, which is far less profitable than processing the produce.
“There are several high-value products that can be derived from cocoa.
“When farmers rush to sell raw beans, they reduce their potential earnings and the sector’s contribution to the GDP,” he said.
Oke said that many cocoa farmers were constrained by advance payments from buyers, which often compelled them to sell their produce at low prices.
He noted that while farmers bore the burden of production, marketers and middlemen frequently realized greater profits.
He urged the government to intervene by supporting the planting of new cocoa trees to boost production and yields.
Oke also called for stronger collaboration with AFAN to address the challenges facing cocoa farmers across the country.
“The government needs to engage AFAN in efforts to reposition the cocoa sector and restore its competitiveness,” he said. (NAN)
