Commodity group targets 500,000 tonnes of cocoa yearly

The Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN) is working to increase cocoa production to 500,000 tonnes per year in the next five years,its President, Dr Victor Iyama, has said.

He said the private sector would work with the government to tackle poverty.

He said cocoa would be used to tackle the problem,giving its production figure as 300,000 tonnes. The production figure, he noted, is lower than those of Ghana and Ivory Coast, which stand at 1.5million tonnes and 1.7 million tonnes yearly.

The aim, he said, is for at least 1.5 million Nigerians to be gainfully employed in the cocoa industry. The association, he said,would work with its members to develop a new processing and manufacturing market for cocoa.

Iyama said the association is determined to develop a sustainable supply chain for cocoa, rice and sesame seed to provide jobs for Nigerians.

He said Nigeria meets a host of essential criteria, including abundant resources to boost food production and that the association is determined to carry out a sustainable agricultural development programme in coordination with agricultural groups in the country.

He said the association is committed to integrating food growth initiatives to impact socio-economic and rural development.

He said farmers will expand their cultivation areas to meet market demand.

Iyama said ensuring food security and the supply of major farm products will always be a top priority for the association.

According to him, work will be done to accelerate the development of modern agricultural industry and strengthen material and technical support for agriculture.

He said the nation needs to address food security, household incomes and increase exports by promoting the production of key food crops, such as corn, grains and cereals.