The forward-looking, stylistically innovative works and aggressive developmental fund drive of the Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Adebola, has yielded a huge chunk of dividend as the Institute partners with stakeholders to win a keenly contested 22 million United States Dollars (USD) award.
A team of researchers from the institute, under the guidance and leadership of Dr. Adebola was part of the group that wrote the award-winning proposal. The project will be implemented in collaboration with the Lutheran World Relief. The United States’ Agency, Food for Progress Programme of the Department of Agriculture, entered into a cooperative agreement with the Lutheran World Relief to strengthen the cocoa value chain in Nigeria.
The Lutheran World Relief, which was founded in 1945, owing to the impact of the World War (II), works with people based on need, regardless of race, religion or nationality. It also provides aid in emergencies and helps families restore their lives. The organization also partners with communities to build and grow rural economies. It breaks the cycle of poverty, so that families and communities can thrive. Its main aim is to help people build self‐sufficiency and create new community ‐owned approaches to problem‐solving that will last long after its projects end.
The Lutheran World Relief is expected to carry out the project activities in Abia, Cross River, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Ondo and Osun States – benefitting approximately 68,000 farmers. In particular, the project will target farmers in low productivity, but highly promising areas, as well as farmers in high-density, high-productivity communities. The Institute will work with the Lutheran World Relief, together with other partners, to effectively ensure the implementation of the programme in the country.
To harmonise relevant areas of the collaboration, the Institute held a meeting with the partners on October 12, 2022. The award is expected to be implemented within the next five years. This ground breaking feat has set the tone for research collaboration towards reclaiming the prime position of the country in Global cocoa economy.
