The Ekiti State Government says more than 50 cocoa farmers drawn from across the state participated in a three-day capacity-building training to improve cocoa quality and flavour for global competitiveness.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, stated this in Ado-Ekiti while reviewing the report of the training organised under the TRACE Project in collaboration with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN).
Boluwade said the programme was designed to equip cocoa farmers with best practices for producing high-quality cocoa beans that meet national and international standards. He explained that the initiative forms part of efforts to strengthen the cocoa value chain in Ekiti State, raise farmers’ incomes and ensure compliance with global regulations, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
“The training featured both theoretical and practical sessions, with emphasis on proper harvesting and post-harvest handling practices,” the commissioner said. He added that the practical session, which held in Oye-Ekiti, exposed participants to standard harvesting techniques, fermentation processes, drying methods and quality preservation practices required for cocoa production.
According to him, CRIN supported the exercise by providing fermentation boxes free of charge to participating farmers as a way of encouraging the adoption of standard fermentation practices capable of improving cocoa quality and flavour. He noted that beneficiaries of the training are expected to share the knowledge gained with other cocoa farmers across cocoa-producing communities in the state.
“This will ensure wider impact, faster adoption of best practices and full compliance with international requirements, while positioning Ekiti cocoa as a globally acceptable product,” Boluwade said.
The commissioner commended the TRACE Project and CRIN for the collaboration and assured that the state government will continue to work with stakeholders to promote sustainable agriculture and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
Earlier, the Director of Tree Crops in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Tope Alao, said more than 50 cocoa farmers from across the state took part in the training. He said the programme consisted of a one-day theoretical session held in Ado-Ekiti and a two-day practical session conducted on cocoa farms in Oye-Ekiti owned by Messrs. Johnson Fabusuyi and Segun Olatunji.
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