2nd Cocoa Farmers' Day
The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), celebrated the 2nd Nigerian Cocoa Farmers' Day for the year 2021 at Valley View Auditorium, Government House, Isale Igbehin, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Nigerian Cocoa Farmers' Day which was tagged; Financing Cocoa Production and the Need for Stakeholders Collaboration for Nigeria Cocoa Sector Sustainability after the COVID-19 era which resulted in the low production of Cocoa across the nation.
The event was recorded a huge success due to its massive attendants of Cocoa Farmers across the nation. The event was attended by prominent individuals in the Cocoa Industry, Government Officials, Representatives from State and Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and Agricultural based private-owned companies and organisations.Child Labour Eradication
The awareness campaign, known as the Child Labour Education and Resilience (CLEAR) project, was organized by the Lutheran World Relief, funded by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and conducted in collaboration with the Ondo State Government, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Nene Akwetey-Kodjoe, Chief of Party at Lutheran World Relief, emphasized the need to eradicate child labor, stating, "hard labor is not allowed, we need to do it right." The CLEAR project's goal is to significantly reduce child labor practices among cocoa farmers in the state, as outlined by Siji Ofoesuwa, the program technical advisor.
Adeola Adegoke, President of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), highlighted the importance of cocoa production as an alternative to oil, especially in the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians.2nd Ncmc Meeting@14/12/23
The Federal Government inaugurated the National Cocoa Management Committee (NCMC), to tackle some of the challenges in the cocoa sector.
Post-harvest Training
Loom Craft Chocolate in collaboration with the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), have flagged-off a special training on post-harvest processing practices for the smallholder cocoa farmers in Ondo state.
The Chief Executive Officer, Loom Craft Chocolate, Mrs. Uzomaka Igweike while flagging off the training at Ibuji, in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, said one of the challenges that have impeded the success of Nigeria’s cocoa export at the international market is poor post-harvest processing practices by cocoa farmers, hence the need for the training.
The National President of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Comrade Adeola Adegoke, who said 50 beneficiaries were randomly selected across the two local government areas of Idanre and Ifedore local government areas of Ondo State said the essence of the training was to make Nigeria cocoa beyond local acceptance, ensure cocoa sustainability, and increase income and livelihood.2 National Cocoa Festival
The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) has stated that its national cocoa festival, which is scheduled to hold on the October 18 and 19 in Abuja would chart the way forward on innovative and sustainable ways of up scaling Nigeria’s cocoa production beyond 2025.
A statement that was issued by CFAN said that the event would feature the launch of United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) food for progress trade projects in Nigeria, and afford stakeholders in the supply chain the opportunity to strategise on how to make the Nigerian cocoa industry sustainable ahead of other cocoa origin countries.
The event whose theme is “Upscaling Nigeria Cocoa Sustainability Beyond 2025” is expected to address the prevalent socio-economic issues hampering the sustainability of Nigeria’s cocoa industry.Usda/lwr Partner Cfan
The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) has disclosed readiness for the launch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) Food for Progress Traceability and Resilience in Agriculture and Cocoa Ecosystems (TRACE) Project in Nigeria coupled with the 2nd National Cocoa Festival event, themed: “Upscaling Nigeria Cocoa Sustainability Beyond 2025”.
The event, organized by CFAN in collaboration with the USDA Food for progress program and its trace project, implemented by Lutheran world relief and other industry partners, is set to hold on the 18th & 19th October, 2023, at Abuja Continental Hotel.
The word TRACE connotes Traceability and Resilience in Agriculture and Cocoa Ecosystems of Nigeria. This project will be a game changer for Nigeria’s cocoa industry and its cocoa farmers, buyers, processors, exporters, chocolate makers and other stakeholders and helps in developing countries and emerging democracies modernize and strengthen their agricultural sectors.Unveiling Of Cocoa Store
As part of measures to strengthen the cocoa supply chains, the National President, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, CFAN, Comrade Adeola Adegoke has said farmers will start selling traceable, deforestation-free cocoa beans at premium value, while unveiling the Farmers Agro Investment Limited cocoa store and center in Akure, Ondo state.
Specifically speaking at the unveiling ceremony on Tuesday, in Owode, the National president said the cocoa store and center was established for the service of smallholder cocoa farmers, deliberate intervention to strengthen the cocoa supply chains through collaborations, sustainable and ethical practices in the face of EU regulations on due diligence.
According to him: "The Cocoa Store and Center will generate more revenue for our State and Federal Governments, as well as for our smallholder cocoa farmers who would otherwise be unable to afford to sell their cocoa beans.