The Ekiti State Government has unveiled a plan to raise 10 million cocoa seedlings over the next decade to restore the state’s standing in Nigeria’s cocoa value chain.
During a radio programme in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, 29 March 2026, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, detailed how the initiative is to reverse a long-term decline in output caused by ageing plantations.
By producing one million seedlings annually through collaborations with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the TRACE Project, the government has sought to provide farmers with climate-resilient varieties that mature within just three years.
The rejuvenation scheme focuses heavily on modernising the production process and ensuring sustainability.
Boluwade explained that the partnership with the TRACE programme is designed to train and support private cocoa farmers with modern techniques and inputs required to meet production targets.
According to him, “The TRACE programme focuses on sustainable cocoa sourcing and improving cocoa quality through expert fermentation processes.”
He further stressed that cocoa produced under this scheme must not involve child labour or come from deforested areas.
To support year-round production, the government has already distributed irrigation pumps worth millions of naira to 28 pilot farmers managing cocoa nurseries.
To encourage widespread participation, the state will provide seedlings and agrochemicals at a 50 per cent subsidy. Boluwade noted, “Improved, high-yield seedlings are being supplied by the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria and other institutions to boost productivity and sustainability.”
He added that the state is also working to leverage Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), supported by the African Development Bank, to enhance value addition and job creation.
The commissioner highlighted that global competitiveness is a priority, with farmers receiving specialised training in traceability to meet international export standards.
On the technical side, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) will provide forecasts to guide the planting season, with full rainfall expected by mid-April.
Boluwade expressed strong optimism about the economic shift, concluding, “The improved cocoa varieties are climate-resilient and can mature within three years, offering quicker returns on investment.”
The distribution of these subsidised seedlings will be decentralised to ensure farmers across the state can easily access them.
Source: Punch News
