The Minister of Agriculture, Mahmood Abubakar has urged key players in the cocoa industry to engage more youths in the production of cocoa
Abubakar spoke at the National Cocoa Festival organised by Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria in Akure, Ondo State capital.
Cocoa remains the largest non-oil foreign exchange earner for Nigeria, as well as a major source of employment for millions of citizens.
Currently, Nigeria is ranked 4th among the leading cocoa producers of the world, behind Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Indonesia, with a production capacity of 340,163 tons.
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The need to boost cocoa production and other related issues came to the fore at this festival in Akure, Ondo State capital, organised by Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria.
The Minister of Agriculture, Mahmood Abubakar, who was represented at the event by the South-West Zonal Director in the ministry, Omolara Abimbola-Oguntuyi, said agriculture holds the key to Nigeria’s collective survival.
Abubakar added that government will continue to support the agriculture sector, most especially cocoa production.
He reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to increase Nigeria Cocoa Production from the present 340,000 tonnes to 500,000 tonnes by 2024.
The minister assured that Nigeria can achieve an increase in cocoa production based on the present drive of the federal government and relevant stakeholders towards utilization of improved varieties.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi said cocoa farmers should be encouraged financially and urged them to key into various programmres imitated by government.
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