Nigeria to earn N100bn from cocoa this year – Filani .

Nigeria stands to generate about N100 billion yearly from cocoa production therefore, both the states and federal government should rely less on statutory monthly allocation and concentrate more on the production of cocoa and other cash and tree crops

Making this disclosure was the CEO-Managing Director, Armajaro Nigeria Limited shortly after a training- empowerment programme organised for the cocoa farmers at Ijan Ekiti Thursday,saying revitalization of cocoa production would boost the nation’s economy positively

According to him,Nigeria had produced about 200,000 metric tons of cocoa last year in which the country has realized about N70billion last year
He added that the country is projecting about 300,000 metric tons this year in which the country is to earn about N100billion

Filani pointed out that cocoa and other cash and tree crops were the mainstay of the economy of the country during the First Republic,especially in the Western Region where the region was producing about 600,000 metric tons

The CEO lamented that currently that the prices of Nigeria cocoa has declined in recent time due to the fraudulent mal practices of some of our farmers compared to that of Ghana and other West African countries

He said it was the habit of some of the fraudulent Nigerians to put pebbles and other dirty things inside cocoa bags with the erroneous notion that it would weigh more. Unlike that of Ghana that is clean

“It is a matter of regret that some of our farmers are engaging themselves in fraudulent malpractices by putting pebbles and other dirty things inside cocoa bags with erroneous notion that it would weigh more

“Unfortunately,this is having a negative impact on the prices of our cocoa in international market where the price of Nigeria cocoa has become worthless unlike that of Ghana and Abidjan

To actually demonstrate the commitment of the company, Filani disclosed that his company has decided to have a demonstration farm in Ekiti State ,which according to him ,would equally accommodate a training school and an hotel

During the programme, some of the items distributed to the farmers free of charge based on their premium included chemicals and insecticide, fungicides, prayers, rain coats, eye googles, nose mask and hand gloves

Responding on hehalf of the beneficiaries,Pa Paul Bamikeye and Chief Ayodeji Isola thanked the management of the company for coming to their aid

Also a former member of the state House of Assembly and the current chairman of the State Waste Management Board,Chief Adebayo Morakinyo lauded the company for its assistance to the farmers.

Source : #vanguard