The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), in collaboration with the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), organized a mega graduation ceremony for her trained cocoa nursery operators across the country on November 10, 2022. The event, which was held at Prof. Lawrence Opeke Conference Hall of the Institute, featured seminars, admonitions, certification amongst other things.
In his address, the ED CRIN, Dr. Patrick Adebola, expressed deep sense of delight in the opportunity of partnership with stakeholders to train cocoa farmers across the nation, while urging the trainees to appropriate and maximize the training to further achieve the desire of the Institute and the Federal Government. He further added that the Government has invested a lot in ensuring that cocoa farming in the country regains its pride of place.

In an interview with the CEOAFRICA’s media crew after the event, the ED added that the effort being made is yielding results, as Nigeria cocoa production is on the rise, though still trailing behind the likes of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Indonesia, globally. He noted that last year, the institute distributed over 500,000 improved cocoa seedlings, expecting to double the figure before the year runs out. He further stressed that the improved seedlings will help to reduce the waiting period of the plant for fruiting, from five to two years, while urging the youths to see the gold mine in cocoa, which is sold at the rate of over $2,000 per bag.

The Executive Director, PIND, Mr. Tunji Idowu, stated that since it was established about eleven years ago, the organization has been committed to its mandate of partnership in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country. Speaking through the Advocacy Manager, Mr Chuks Ofulue, the ED PIND enumerated areas of its partnership to include agricultural sector, such as the cocoa value chain, youth empowerment, amongst others. He noted that the occasion as the first of its kind in the over 50 years of CRIN establishment. A Director and Head, Cocoa Programme of the Institute, Dr Abiodun Rasheed Adedeji while advising the trained coca nursery operators, noted that Nigeria had lost many opportunities in the past because there was no forum where the Institute could have personal link with her trainees whose accountability would be monitored at all times, adding that such trainings have solved such problems.

In his own remarks, the Director and Head, Production and Substation of the Institute, Dr Moses Ogunlade, warned the nursery operators to be ethical in their dealings as the main aim of the entire process is to ensure that the hybrid cocoa pods from the Institute get to the farmers and not for self-aggrandizement of the seed entrepreneurs. Dr Ann Muyiwa, who is the Head, Crop Improvement of the institute, urged the graduands to utilize the opportunity effectively to contribute judiciously to the development of cocoa farming in the country.

While presenting them for certification, the trainer with PIND at CRIN, Dr. Festus Olasupo noted that the nursery operators on ground were the few found worthy of graduation, out of the many that were trained, as discovered by the monitoring team in the course of her assignment.
The CRIN speakers also noted that, in addition to the trainings meant for the nursery operators, there are also trainings for the farmers, which have been ongoing. They further commended the vision of the ED CRIN, Dr Adebola, which is to make Nigeria number one in cocoa farming, globally.

Other members of the team that trained the operators includes Mr. Emmanuel Nwala, Chief Adesida, Mr Anthony Agbongiarhuoyi, amongst others, made their voices heard as they expressed optimism in the future of cocoa farming in Nigeria, as youths were among the graduates.

Some of the cocoa nursery operators who were trained includes, Dr. Bashir Adeboye Akinola, Chief John Kalu, Mr. Ralph Adebayo, Mr. Aiyegbusi Ali, amongst others. They expressed their deep sense of gratitude for being considered worthy of such honour. The trained nursery operators came from different cocoa producing States of the Federation, where cocoa farming is well-practised including Abia, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Cross River states, amongst others.