The Federal Government said on Thursday that it has mapped out strategies to revitalise and enhance the production of cocoa in all areas of its value chain.
It said it took the step following a decline in the cocoa production in the country, a development it described as worrisome.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb Nura Rimi, stated this at a two-day stakeholders capacity building and training in Akure, Ondo State capital.
The government lamented that cocoa, which is one of the country’s biggest exports, could not meet up with global competitiveness.
Represented by the Assistant Director of the Commodities and Export Department, Mr Johnson Akeredolu, the Permanent Secretary said the training focused on global good agricultural practices and food safety for the cocoa value chain to ensure international market access for Nigerian cocoa and its derivatives.
“We have discovered that cocoa production is declining, and we felt the government must come up with robust plans to see how we can enhance production, from planting, harvesting, drying, marketing, and all its value chain activities.
“It is imperative to note that most of Nigeria’s commodities, cocoa inclusive, are not competing favourably due to non-compliance with global standards, resulting in difficulties in accessing niche markets for our producers and exporters.
“Hence, there is a need for the capacity-building training programme as part of measures to support cocoa value chain players in harnessing their production and export potentials for meaningful economic growth and development,” he said.
The permanent secretary further explained that the intervention was in line with the mandate of President Bola Tinubu to facilitate skills acquisition and capacity building for 120 participants on compliance with global best practices in cocoa production and value addition.
He added that the intervention would ensure quality cocoa seedlings, guided planting, nurturing to maturity, harvesting, processing, and other value additions, including packaging and labelling for market access into the European market.