By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja
Nigeria is stepping up efforts to expand cocoa production as part of a broader strategy to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil revenue.
Cocoa remains one of the country’s most valuable agricultural exports, providing livelihoods for hundreds of thousands of farmers and contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings.
For decades, Nigeria ranked among the world’s top cocoa producers, but output declined due to ageing plantations, limited access to finance and low adoption of modern farming practices.
Recent initiatives aim to reverse this trend by introducing improved cocoa seedlings, promoting sustainable farming methods and supporting farmers with training and extension services.
The government is also working to attract young people into cocoa farming by making the sector more profitable and technologically driven.
Access to affordable credit, farm inputs and cooperative structures is being improved to help smallholder farmers increase yields and income. These measures are expected to boost production while enhancing resilience against climate-related challenges.
Beyond increased output, Nigeria is placing renewed emphasis on value addition.
Rather than exporting raw cocoa beans alone, authorities are encouraging local processing into cocoa butter, powder and chocolate-related products. This approach has the potential to create jobs, increase export earnings and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global cocoa value chain.
Experts believe that sustained investment in cocoa production could significantly improve rural livelihoods and contribute to economic stability. As global demand for cocoa continues to rise, Nigeria’s expansion drive offers a promising opportunity to grow non-oil exports and support inclusive economic growth.
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