Stakeholders in the Cocoa Industry have been sensitized on how to develop and apply standards in their modus operandi to help them achieve the target of a desirable international quality for a much more appreciated end-products and seamless exports and better pricings.
This sensitization was at a Stakeholders Meeting held on Wednesday in Akure at the instance of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
The Meeting which was themed: “Synergy for Quality Cocoa and Global Competitiveness” was a prelude to the annual National Cocoa Festival “22.
It featured the presence of various Cocoa Associations like the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other Value-Chain operators in the Cocoa Sub-Sector of the Nigerian economy.
In the opening remarks, the Director General and Chief Executive of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mallam Farouk Salim; ably represented by the Organisation’s Regional Director, South-West Operations; Mrs. Yeside Akinlabi; noted that the meeting will provide the opportunity for interactions and discussions to foster the issues of quality that are instrumental to improved rating and pricing of Nigeria’s cocoa in the international market.
“The meeting will therefore provide the opportunity for interactions and discussions to foster the issues of quality that are instrumental to improved rating and pricing of Nigeria’s cocoa in the international market”.
While expressing hope that with joint efforts, articulated measures through standards and codes of practices would improve the quality of cocoa from the beans to other products in the value chain, Salim however affirmed his belief in the successful establishment of Nigeria’s cocoa rating as it were in the 60s, and possibly surpass it.
“We are now hopeful that with joint efforts, we can articulate measures through standards and codes of practices that would improve the quality of cocoa from the beans to other products in the value chain, for improved productivity and acceptability”.
Getting the technical session underway, the Ondo State Coordinator of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria; Engineer Abayomi Danmola; enlightened stakeholders on the mandates, visions and operations of the Organisation.
He further enjoined them for better collaborations so as to bring the desirable improvements to earnings in the cocoa industry.
Lending his voice to the campaign for better standards in the cocoa industry, the President of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN); Comrade Adeola Adegoke; stressed the need for collaborative efforts aimed at bringing back the lost glory of cocoa in Nigeria.
While stating the readiness of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria to partner with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria in whatever capacity, Adegoke noted that the journey to rescue cocoa’s productivity, pricing and acceptability has started.
“I sincerely show my appreciation to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria for championing the campaign to restore the lost glory of cocoa in Nigeria.
” We, the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, hereby declare our total support for this laudable cause”.
Also speaking in a separate interview with PRESENT NEWSPAPER, the Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture; Dr. Godfrey Enita; lauded the initiative of the SON and called for periodical interfaces of value chain operators in the cocoa industry with government regulatory bodies for optimal productivity.
He further tasked government; at all levels; to make farming more lucrative so that young people can be actively engaged and the nation will be better for it in the long run.
