Cocoa was said to have been brought from Brazil to Nigeria. It’s absolutely found in part of Latin America and the Caribbean Countries. In Africa, it’s found in Ghana, Ivory coast and Cameroun. In Nigeria, Cocoa is predominantly found in parts of the South West States, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo appreciated the core economic stimulus of Cocoa. He recognized it as the center piece of Western Region’s economy. Cocoa boom led to the creation of the Cocoa Board. This Board gave birth to COCOA HOUSE in Dugbe, Ibadan. As at that time, the said Building was actually acclaimed to be the tallest building in Africa. Awolowo was able to pursue his free Universal Primary Education(UPE) with Cocoa Proceeds. Cocoa Farmers were encouraged and subsidized against international market fluctuations. They were encouraged with viable Seedlings, Chemicals, e. t .c
Paradoxically, today Cocoa Farmers are on their own. Left alone to source Seedlings, Chemicals and unprotected against international market fluctuations. The immediate past season is worse off, as Cocoa Farmers faced unprecedented low fluctuations. Funny enough, most Cocoa Farmers, especially in Edo, rely on smuggled Chemicals from Ghana.It may interest you to know, these Chemicals are marked (Not To Be Sold)
As a matter of urgent importance, this writer is calling on all Cocoa Producing States to form a forum, to alleviate Farmers sufferings. They should also provide value additions before export. No where in the world do Producers export their products without primary and secondary value additions. Cocoa add a substantial GDP to our national economy. It’s good we accord this very good Chocolate Trees, it’s desired national attention. Those who engaged in the cultivation of Cocoa, should be celebrated and not left to their detriments. As for Edo State, relevant authorities should wake up and proactively begin to aggressively strategize now. Government should stop the habit of allowing our Cocoa to be taken to neighbouring States without official grading and accounting. We lost a lot of revenue, through this carefree attitude. To give the Cocoa Farmers, sense of belonging, government should provide Cocoa Producing Areas, in terms of accessibility (ROADS) and others.
