Akwa Ibom begins cocoa expansion scheme, targets 1.5mt in four years

Akwa Ibom State government has commenced a special programme for the expansion of cocoa cultivation with a target of 1.5 metric tons in four years from the current output of 300 kilogrammes per hectare by upgrading production and expansion of cocoa estates.

The programme would also provide jobs for hundreds of youths to be engaged in value chain addition programme, scheduled for Ikono and Ini local government areas of the state.

Governor Udom Emmanuel, who made this known while kick-starting the programme to mark the special cocoa maintenance scheme at Ekpemiong Itak and Ananamong in Ikono and Ini local government areas, said under the scheme, the state government planned to train 450 youths using personnel from the West African sub region.

According to the governor, the demand for cocoa products has always been on the increase to justify interest in the sector by farmers, as efforts would be made to adopt the correct pricing of the products as applicable at the international market.

Udom said the programme was part of efforts by the state government to “diversify the economy from dependence on crude oil to agricultural proceeds,’’ adding that cocoa production would meet the global best practice in the sector.

Speaking also, a consultant from the John Kuffour Foundation, Ghana, Abraham Odoom, expressed happiness over the opportunity given to them to exhibit their wealth of experience in the industry, saying their involvement would help Akwa Ibom to increase output from 300 kilogramme to 1.5 metric tons of cocoa annually.

He said the foundation’s accomplished achievements in cocoa production in Ghana would be brought to bear in the state through farmer cooperative societies in Akwa Ibom State, tree and land management in cocoa production, describing the response of the state government as impressive.