Nigeria to Produce 500,000 Tonnes Of Cocoa In 2024

  More good news continues to emanate from the once lucrative Nigerian Agricultural Industry. This time, the federal produce inspection service, FPIS, have announced that the country will increase cocoa production to 500,000 tonnes in the next 10 years- 2024. Mr Israel Ikwejulor, first Chief Control Officer of the service stated this in a press statement, that with the federal government distribution of hybrid cocoa seeds developed by the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, the feat could be achieved. “The federal government is investing heavily on cocoa production and regeneration of cocoa plantations by way of giving farmers hybrid cocoa seeds.” He further revealed that Nigeria is not a cocoa consuming nation, stating that it is a hindrance to processing cocoa into cakes, liquor and powder. “Nigeria is not a cocoa consuming nation. This is why the federal government exports cocoa beans and exporters have the government’s support through the export processing grant.” Recently, Nigeria’s rice production has increased tremendously with the minister of Agriculture proposing the outright ban on importation of rice into the country. “We presently produce 250,000 tonnes of cocoa, but government is working at doubling that amount to 500,000 per season tones in another 10 years. The cocoa seeds we used to have will take five years to mature, but the hybrid seeds will take between 2 to 3 years to mature”, he said. The control officer also noted that the land was available therefore with favorable weather and government support for farmers, the target will be met.