The Federal Government has through the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) developed eight varieties of early-maturing, high-yielding and disease-resistant cocoa beans.
CEOAFRICA news desk has gathered this development from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina, who disclosed that the new plus to agriculture is part of efforts of the Federal government to achieve 500,000 metric tons of cocoa production.
According to Malachy Akoroda, the CEO, CRIN, the eight high-yeilding varieties of cocoa beans are being distributed to farmers in the 14 cocoa producing States in the country to increase the cocoa contribution to the country’s gross domestic products.
Malachy Akoroda speaking at the 3rd round-table on Nigeria Cocoa Value Chain, organised by the Centre for Cocoa Development Initiatives in conjunction with Ogun State Government, held in Abeokuta recently, revealed that the new varieties produce 11/2 metric tons of cocoa per hectare each season compared to the former types which yielded ½ ton per hectare.
He however assured that the Federal Government target on increased cocoa production would be met with current training which the institute has begun for cocoa farmers on weeding and pest control, crop spacing, fertilizer application and harvest techniques.
