…Says cocoa hits N15 million per ton in 2024
….Institute set to celebrate 60th Anniversary
By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Executive Director, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, (CRIN), Ibadan, Dr Patrick Adebola has charged individuals, and government to embrace cultivation of Cocoa, among other cash crops saying the produce is in increasing demands globally.
Noting that the price of Cocoa reached an all time high of N 15 million per ton as against it price of N1.8 million as at January 2024, Dr Adebola noted that the institute have been able to develop eight varieties of cocoa that can flower and fruit in 18 months as compared to the usual seven years.
He added that, though, its price per ton has stabilized at N12 million currently, the product has become a hot cake being sought after by countries of the world.
The CRIN boss spoke while addressing newsmen at a joint press conference to mark CRIN’s 60th Anniversary slated for Monday, December 9, 2024 as well as the hosting of the 18th edition of the Research Institutes Games of Nigeria (RIGAN) by the institute.
He attributed sharp increase in price of cocoa to disease outbreak in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, the two leading producers of cocoa in the world.
He said the situation led to about 40 percent loss of the crop in the two countries.
According to him, country has the potential to become the highest producer of Cocoa and boost it’s foreign exchange earnings if adequate attention was given to the sector by government.
He urged Nigerians, especially the youth to embrace agriculture especially cocoa, cashew and other crops to generate more income and boost the economy.
“Cote D’Ivoire is the largest producer of cocoa producing about 2 million metric tons followed by Ghana with 900,000 metric tons. Nigeria is still 300,000 tons. Meanwhile, we have more land and everything than both countries. Nigeria can become number one.
He said, “I believe that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu is doing the right thing because I can see a lot of improvement in terms of support to farmers. That support should reach the right farmers and not the political farmers.
“As at January this year, a ton of Cocoa use to sell for N1.8 million, the price has risen to about N15million per ton but has now stabilized at N12million now. That is to tell you that Cocoa production is no joke, it is the way to go now.
“If you have one hectare of land, it will give you 1111 trees if you do 3mtr by 3mtr spacing. In a year, it will give you at least 1.5 tons and one ton is N12 million. All you need on Cocoa farm management is just to ensure that fire does not get into the farm and making sure you do your spraying when it is fruiting and the wedding. That’s all. No cost maintenance. And Cocoa can last for a lifetime and you even hand it over to your children to inherit.
“So imagine your have 10 hectares of Cocoa, well managed, you know how much you are going to make. Today people are coming from all over the world with sacks of money pursuing cocoa farmers in our villages.
“People call me on a daily basis to find out where they can get Cocoa beans. Even the Arab countries and Russia are now into Cocoa. To get Cocoa beans is difficult now even if you have your money.
“So, Agriculture is where to go. That is why we are encouraging our youths to take advantage of age and go into tree crops farming such as Cocoa. They will never regret it.”
While noting that 22 states of the federation including Southwest, South-South, South- East Adamawa and Taraba States have good soil to grow Cocoa profitably, he however, advised those interested in Cocoa farming to carry out soil testing before planting.
On how much of the mandate crops -cocoa, coffee, cola, cashew, tea of the institute is being put to use in Nigeria, he expressed dismay that only five percent of cocoa is being utilized for local processing.
“We all know what is happening to local processing industries not only in agriculture but all over. They are being frustrated by the high bill of power”, he added.
He identified funding as a major challenge facing Research Institutes in Nigeria noting that less than one percent of the budget as against the recommended 10 percent is currently allocated to research Institutes in the country.
Speaking on the eight varieties of cocoa developed so far by the Institute, the ED said “These varieties are high yielding, they can yeild between 1.5 to 2.5 tons per hectare and are disease resistant and resilient to climate change.
“We have also developed technologies in terms of packaging of the varieties which are being extended to farmers.
“The institute has also developed over 25 products and bi-products from the mandate crops such as Chocolate, Choco Garri, Cocoa Bread, Cocoa wine, Cola wine, Coffee wine among others.”
He added that some of the mandate crops bi- products have been processed into feeds for poultry, pigs, snails and other animals.
Highlighting some of the event to mark the 60th Anniversary, Dr Adebola said part og activities will be the conferment of Awards to President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, past heads of the CRIN and other notable Nigerians who have contributed to the development of the cocoa sector in the country.
Speaking on the 18th Research Institute Games of Nigeria, (RIGAN), being hosted by the CRIN, the National President, Professor Oluwaferanmi Owolade said the objective of the annual games is to foster unity by bringing together sports men and women from all the research Institutes in the country and to discover hidden talents
Owolade noted that the games have over the years, produced the likes of Austin Eguavoen, Mutiu Adepoju, Dimeji Lawal amongst others
He stated that about 35 Research Institutes across the country will be participating in various games taking place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.
