Establishment of cocoa plantation
Cocoa was first introduced to Nigeria in 1874. Nigeria became one of the world producers of cocoa from 1960. In 1960 Nigeria became the second largest producer after Ghana producing about 200,000 metric tonnes on annual basis. Most of the developmental projects in the western region of Nigeria were financed from cocoa income by the then western region government. However, the decline in production started with the advent of crude oil when most plantations were abandoned.
There is the need to revitalize-cocoa production in Nigeria because of the dwindling oil price. There is the need to diversify the economy away from oil, to create jobs and income generating opportunities for Nigerians in the face of global financial meltdown.
Cocoa is one of the most exportable crops in Nigeria that can readily generate export earnings. It is also an investment that will outlive the owners. The implication of this is that an investor in cocoa plantation will reap from the investment for the rest of his/her life.
The uses to which cocoa can be made are many; these include among others cocoa butter, cake and liquor. Cocoa products are used for beverage production and also cosmetics. Cocoa by-products can also be used as organic fertilizer and feed for ruminant animals. So Far, from cocoa pod, only the cocoa beans are economically used. The cocoa husk and the cocoa sweetens have been proved to be capable of a number of industrial processes such as the use of the husk in livestock feed and soap making, and that of sweeteners in manufacturing of jellies, jams, food ingredients, wines, sugary solution etc.
Requirement:
Large expanse of land; where the soil is deep, fertile, well aerated and loamy in nature.
Sources of seedlings procurement are also very important. Alternatively, nursery may be prepared separately whenever the seed are pre-planted before transplanting them to the field. It can be grown either from seeds or vegetative breeding commercial plantings are mainly grown from seeds.
Other requirements are black polythene bags, farm implements, shading materials, wind breakers, abundant labour, chemicals (fungicide, Insecticides etc.), processing implements, qualified personnel, some growth hormones and drying facilities.
Market potential/project justification:
The demand for cocoa is rising steadily and prices are good. It is also a good source of foreign exchange. For some time now, cocoa farmers in Nigeria have been smiling due to the boost in non-oil export, which resulted from the abolition of cocoa board by the Federal Government. However, the demand for cocoa beans in the country both for export and domestic uses is more than supply. Moreover, the tonne of cocoa bean is now selling at 400 percent of the same price some years back.
A lot of abandoned cocoa plantations located in some parts of Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti states have been re-activated by their owners. Cocoa production is being seen as one of the major sources of foreign exchange earnings.
The agricultural transformation agenda of the federal government also has a lot of incentives for the establishment of cocoa plantations and also the re-generation of cocoa plantations in the country. This is an opportunity for forward looking investors to utilize. Establishment of Cocoa plantation is a life investment in which investor will continue to get the returns for life.
The project is strongly recommended for consideration by investors, investment houses and profit conscious companies including government to create jobs and income for the Nigerian teaming youth.
Note: The scope can be higher or lower depending on the financial strength of the investor.
Projected revenue:
A well maintained cocoa plantation will yield a minimum of 2 tonnes of dry seeds per hectare per year starting from the fourth year. This translates to 20 tonnes for 10 hectares.
The current selling price of cocoa is N400, 000 (minimum per tonne).
An annual income of N8 million can be generated from this project with operating expenses put at N2 million per annum. Investors will be making over N6 million on annual basis from the fourth year for life. Serious minded investors can be assisted in the actualization of this project.
Olumakinde Oni
Email: olumakindeoni2@yahoo.com.