The Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa has charged state chairmen of different cocoa-producing communities across Nigeria to be selfless and prioritise the welfare of cocoa farmers to boost cocoa production in the country.

In a statement signed by the COFAAA Admin, Nigeria chapter, Oyindamola Akande and made available to PUNCH Online on Saturday after the maiden meeting of COFAAA Nigeria in Oyo presided over by COFAAA Global president, Adeola Adegoke.

COFAAA said, “State chairmen across the cocoa producing states in Nigeria must be selfless in their actions and prioritise cocoa farmers’ welfare for the association to
achieve her goals. “

Adegoke further emphasised the need to improve on the agronomics practices and post harvest processing capabilities of Nigeria’s cocoa farmers through high level capacity trainings and advocacy in order for Nigeria not only to increase her share of cocoa production quota but improves on the cocoa quality.

He said, “This is the best way to market the African cocoa economy that gives the best value
for fair cocoa pricing at the global market.”

He highlighted the strategic importance of COFAAA at the African level and the benefits to the cocoa farmers in
Nigeria, adding that COFAAA aims to empower African cocoa farmers, improve their
livelihoods and increase Africans’ global cocoa production share through sustainable practices.

Adegoke also reiterated the need for members to collaborate with other stakeholders, particularly policymakers, buyers, processors, exporters, research institutes, and extensionists to make Nigeria’s cocoa industry sustainable and internationally acceptable through due diligence.

He also stated COFAAA’s plans aimed at strengthening the framework of youth inclusiveness in the cocoa value chain in Africa while also saluting the global cocoa institutions, cocoa origins countries’ governments and other cocoa companies working in African cocoa ecosystems for their unwavering support for the growth of African cocoa.

Participants contributed by discussing about the challenges and opportunities in the Nigerian cocoa economy and lauded Adegoke for his pragmatic leadership so far which they say has justified his higher roles at the African continent stage even as they promised to work collectively for the growth of the association in their various farm gate levels.



https://punchng.com/cocoa-farmers-urged-to-increase-global-market-share/