The Ekiti State Government has unveiled a plan to raise 10 million cocoa seedlings over the next 10 years to revive production and strengthen its role in Nigeria’s cocoa value chain.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, said the move is aimed at reversing declining output caused by ageing plantations. He explained that the state will produce one million seedlings annually to meet the target.
The programme is being implemented in partnership with the TRACE Project, the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture to support farmers with modern techniques and improve cocoa quality.
“The partnership with the TRACE programme is designed to train and support private cocoa farmers with modern techniques and inputs required to meet production targets. The TRACE programme focuses on sustainable cocoa sourcing and improving cocoa quality through expert fermentation processes.”
As part of the rollout, 28 farmers have received irrigation pumps to support seedling production, while improved, high-yield and climate-resilient varieties are being distributed.
The government also plans to provide seedlings and agrochemicals at a 50 percent subsidy and train farmers to meet international export standards.
Boluwade added that the state is working with the African Development Bank under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme to boost value addition and job creation.
He expressed optimism that the initiative will increase cocoa output, create jobs, and drive economic growth.
