The 3-day 2024 In-house Research Review of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) located in Ibadan, Oyo State, has ended with anticipations of successful implementation that will boost productivity in Nigeria.

From the start on Tuesday, CEOAFRICA reported the series of activities, speeches and sessions held at the review aimed at improving on previous achievements and ensuring a better tomorrow of food availability in the country.

Over the course of the research event, technical sessions of presentation of cocoa, tea, cashew, and kola programmes held, where proposed research works were presented for the review of researchers and scientists who critiqued and gave recommendations where necessary to ensure accuracy and positive results on the field.

The Executive Director of the institute, Dr. Patrick Adebola, who appreciated all and sundry for the success of the event, charged the researchers to develop a presentation template, saying there is need for the researchers to work with the institute on carrying the institute’s logo on their research works.

He also restated his lament on how Nigeria is lagging at enjoying the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) programme currently being enjoyed by Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana. CEOAFRICA gathered that through the EUDR, countries like Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon are collectively producing more than 70% of the world cocoa. The beneficiaries are also enjoying it in achieving their objectives in terms of economic, environmental, and social sustainability of cocoa production.

Adebola stressed his call for government support so that Nigeria can soar better than neighbouring countries in the areas of cocoa production, being part of improving the nation’s economy.

The CRIN CEO encouraged young farmers and researchers to maximise their potentials to soar higher in their field of experience.

In his closing remarks, the CRIN Director of Research Operation, Dr S.O. Agbeniyi, expressed his appreciation to the director of the institute who gave them every support to plan and organise a successful review, admitting that the 2024 event is one of the best inhouse reviews in recent times.

Earlier at the last session of the event, and the technical sessions concluded, Dr S. A. Adeosun presented a syndicate report of the 2024 research review, recapitulating the general comments, observations, recommendations, and areas of improvements given by scientists.

According to the syndicate report, subsequent reviews must be comprehensive, proliferation and fragmentation of the projects should stop, previous research works must not be repeated except in the case of improvement, proposed budget must be realistic and must be in line with the economic reality of the institute, proposals with similar titles should be merged, CRIN scientists and researchers should partner with industries to access grants that will help research, among others.

Later in the year, the institute will hold its 60th anniversary and host the 2024 Research Institutes Games Association of Nigeria (RIGAN) Festival.