The Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Cocoa Produce, Hon. Paul Ndik, has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to improve cocoa production in the state, describing the crop as black gold.
Hon. Ndik made the call during a visit to the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, CRIN Sub-station in Ajasor, Etung Local Government Area, alongside members of the state Cocoa Committee on Quality, Sensitization and Development.
The team also met with other stakeholders in the cocoa sector across the state.
Speaking during the visit, the Special Adviser said cocoa has the capacity to become the major revenue source for Cross River State if properly harnessed.
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“Cocoa is our black gold. With the right collaboration, research, and support for farmers, this crop can drive the economy of Cross River State and create wealth for our people,” Hon. Ndik stated.
The Chairman of Cross River State Cocoa Farmers Association, CFAN, Dr. Ransome Ndep Ebam, assured the government of the farmers’ readiness to collaborate to ensure better crop yield and quality.
On his part, the Chairman of Cocoa Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pascal Kejie, while receiving the Special Adviser, noted that cocoa yield has been low this year due to adverse weather conditions that affected the crop.
Also speaking, the Chief Station Officer of CRIN Ajasor, Dr. Ayodele Oladipo Akinpelu, thanked Hon. Ndik and his team for the visit and expressed the institute’s willingness to partner with the state government and farmers to improve research, quality and productivity.
The visit is part of the state government’s efforts to revamp the cocoa sector and position Cross River as a leading cocoa-producing state in Nigeria.
