The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) held its much-anticipated 2025 Farmers' Field Day on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the CRIN Exhibition Ground in Ibadan. The event, themed "CRIN Developed Technologies for Improved Food Security and Economic Growth," showcased groundbreaking research in key commodity crops, including cocoa, kola, cashew, coffee, and tea.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Executive Director/CEO of CRIN, Dr. Patrick Olusanmi Adebola; the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Oyo State, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye represented by General Manager, Oyo State Tree Crop Development Unit, Mr. Babatunde Adewole; Director in charge of cocoa production at CRIN, Dr. Moses Ogunlade; and HOD of the Economics and Extension Department of CRIN, Dr. (Mrs.) Justina Oluyemisi Lawal, along with Executive Directors from other research institutes, members of CRIN, the management team, farmers, key stakeholders, and exhibitors.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Adebola expressed gratitude to the farmers, emphasizing their central role in the institute's mission. "There would be no CRIN without farmers cultivating our mandate crops. We are here to work with you and solve your challenges," he stated. He highlighted that the Farmers' Field Day serves as a platform to demonstrate CRIN's capabilities, introduce innovative technologies, and encourage partnerships with investors.
Mr. Babatunde Adewole, delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Hon. Commissioner, stressed the importance of agricultural research in promoting food security and economic progress. He acknowledged the significant contributions of crops like cocoa and cashew to Nigeria's GDP and the livelihoods of millions. "The advancements made by CRIN in enhancing crop production through improved varieties and sustainable practices are commendable," he noted, pledging the state government's continued support for agricultural initiatives. "Oyo State led by Engr. Seyi Makinde has been supporting agriculture through its various efforts and programs recognizing its pivotal role in sustainance of the nation"
Dr. Oluyemisi Lawal reiterated the significance of the event, stating, "Today's gathering is a vital platform for sharing information and fostering collaboration aimed at revitalizing Nigeria's agricultural economy, particularly tree crop production." She detailed CRIN's national mandate and recent additions to its research portfolio, including the introduction of black plum as a significant crop for Nigeria.
In an exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA, the Executive Director of CRIN, Dr. Patrick Adebola elaborated on the significance of the annual Farmers' Field Day and the institute's ongoing commitment to agricultural innovation.
Dr. Adebola remarked, "This program is one of our annual events. Every year, we want to showcase what we are capable of doing as a research institute mandated to work on five crops. We organize this Farmers' Field Day where we invite farmers cultivating our mandate crops, entrepreneurs interested in adopting our technologies, and stakeholders to demonstrate our achievements and future plans."
Reflecting on the past year's accomplishments, he noted, "Last year was a good year for us at CRIN. We successfully executed all our planned activities for all the crops. We involved ourselves in training the farmers in various aspects, and some of our staff underwent Training of Trainer (T.O.T). We delivered improved planting materials, such as cocoa, coffee, and cashew seedlings, produced from high-quality sources, and distributed them to our farmers. We submitted several research proposals last year, all of which were approved, and we conducted successful experiments while securing valuable partnerships with international donors to support our research."
Looking ahead, Dr. Adebola expressed optimism and shared ambitious plans: "This year, we have great plans. We will continue to support our farmers by helping them whenever they experience problems, providing advice on improving soil fertility through fertilizers, and continuing our supply of planting materials. We plan to distribute two million cocoa seedlings to farmers, which will extend across all our mandate crops. We will also maintain our training programs for staff and farmers. Additionally, we will pursue external collaborations while seeking more projects to bring into the institute. We don’t want to rely solely on federal government funding; thus, we will write proposals to other organizations and improve our infrastructural facilities.”
Addressing the role of the federal government in supporting agriculture, he remarked, “The federal government is doing a lot and creating awareness, particularly through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with CRIN. They recognize the recent surge in cocoa prices, and many organizations are approaching the federal government to find ways to capitalize on this cocoa boom. The government is also encouraging people, especially youth and women, to return to the land, highlighting the potential for significant financial gains in plantation farming.”
Dr. Adebola stressed the importance of agriculture in Nigeria's economy: “We all know what agriculture can do. As a nation, we must prepare to return to farming because relying on oil is not sustainable. Our government is guiding us toward this direction, but we must take action ourselves to boost our economy and address the current foreign exchange challenges. With the rising prices of agricultural products, especially tree crops, farmers are benefiting financially. Currently, a ton of cocoa is fetching about 17 million naira. Given Nigeria's growing population, there's an increasing need for food production.”
He added, “Our target for tree crops isn’t solely to produce raw materials; we also aim to add value before export, which benefits the small-scale farmers cultivating these crops. The demand for our commodities is exceeding supply, which is driving prices up in the international market. We are working on developing new cocoa varieties and training farmers on maximizing their produce.”
Dr. Adebola concluded with a message to farmers: “I urge them to reinvest by rehabilitating their farms and adhering to good agricultural practices with the right agro-chemicals. This way, we can increase the productivity of the existing farmland without the need for expansion. We can help farmers produce more and achieve higher yields. With the cocoa price being high now, there is a significant benefit for farmers, and by reinvesting, their farms will become even more productive.”
Dr. Lawal, the HOD of Economics and Extension at CRIN, emphasized the significance of the event in fostering collaboration among farmers and stakeholders. “This event enables knowledge sharing, allowing farmers to learn from one another and discover the best practices and products for their crops. We encourage the government to budget for farmer training, as funding remains a significant challenge for our initiatives,” she said.
Dr. A.O. Famaye, Director of Budgeting, Monitoring, and Evaluation at CRIN, shared the institute's mission of addressing farmer issues directly, particularly regarding CRIN's mandate crops. “Our goal is to provide improved, pest-resistant varieties and ensure local farmers have access to the latest farming technologies. We've seen a positive impact on local communities, and we want to continue this momentum,” he stated.
The Farmers' Field Day also heard from Mr. Akintola Olubanji Joseph, Chairman of the Cocoa Farmers Association, Oyo State branch, who called for government support, saying, “We need access to capital and land. Youth are eager to enter agriculture, particularly cocoa farming, which holds significant financial potential.”
The event concluded with an exhibition showcasing the diverse products and innovations within the agricultural sector. Each exhibitor elaborated on the benefits of their offerings, especially those derived from cocoa, providing farmers with valuable insights into modern practices. In addition to the exhibition, attendees enjoyed a vibrant cultural display by the Alasi Musi Bata cultural group, celebrating the rich heritage of Nigeria and the integral role of agriculture in the nation’s identity.
As stakeholders left the event, the unified message was clear: with collaboration, innovation, and investment in agriculture, Nigeria can not only improve its food security but also elevate its standing in the global agricultural economy. CRIN stands ready to assist farmers and stakeholders as they work toward a sustainable and prosperous future.
The event provided a unique opportunity for farmers, processors, policymakers, and investors to engage directly with researchers and extension experts. By bridging the gap between scientific discoveries and practical applications, CRIN aims to enhance food security, create job opportunities, and stimulate economic growth throughout the nation.
As CRIN continues to innovate in agricultural technology, the collaboration between research institutions, government agencies, and stakeholders remains paramount in transforming Nigeria’s tree crop economy into a competitive global sector. With unwavering dedication and cooperation, the vision of a resilient and prosperous agricultural landscape is well within reach.
The collaborative efforts displayed during the Farmers' Field Day underline the importance of maintaining strong ties between research institutions, the agricultural community, and government entities. CRIN's commitment to fostering knowledge exchange and technological advancement positions it as a leader in driving agricultural reform essential for Nigeria’s sustainable development.
This year’s Farmers’ Field Day was not just an exhibition; it served as a catalyst for inspiring change within the agricultural sector, urging all stakeholders to work hand in hand to cultivate a thriving future for Nigeria's agriculture.
