FAO GEF7, Folur-IP in Collaboration with CR. Govt. Host Pre-season Capacity Building Workshop for Small Holders Farmers in Cocoa and Oil Palm Agrobusiness.

Iloke Egbe - MIDC 

As a way of taking proactive measures towards agrobusiness for the betterment of small farm holders in the Cocoa and Oil Palm sector a two day capacity building workshop has been organized for farmers in the value of the two crops across the State.

The event jointly organized by Food and Agric Organization of the United Nations, Global Environment Facilities and Food System, Land Use and Restoration Impact Programme held at the Produce School, Ministry of Agric and Irrigation Development Barracks Road Calabar. 

Declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner Ministry of Agric and Irrigation Development Hon. Johnson Ebokpo highlighted the conscious support given to the sector by the Governor His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu to include the procurement of 3.5 million improved oil palm sprouted nuts from Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research NIFOR and the supplies of 77 brand new motor bikes which has been distributed to Agricultural Development Program for Officer in the Ministry and Local Government Councils across the 18 LGAs.

On behalf of the State Government, he expressed sincere appreciation to FAO GEF7 and Folur-IP for organizing the workshop for the affected participants.

He acknowledged that small holder farmers are responsible for the bulk of domestic food and Agricultural output in Cross River and Ondo which is where the project operates and should be supported with improved knowledge, innovations, skills and other production enhancement factors close to their doorsteps as it will increase productivity, raise their income and improve their livelihoods. 

The event featured project overview and progress overview by the project technical advisor Prof. Adebayo Shittu. Some of the topics presented during the workshop include protection against sexual exploitation and abuse by Dr. Mrs. Titilope Olanrewaju and mainstreaming Gender equity and social inclusion in Agriculture. 

There were technical sessions on climate smart Cocoa production by Dr. Samuel Orisajo from CRIN and climate smart Oil Palm production by Dr. Olusegun Solomon from NIFOR.

Other technical sessions were on Climate Smart Cocoa AESA and processing of Cocoa, harvesting of FFB and processing of palm oil, farmer field and business school training.

On the challenges that confront the sector, participants called on Federal Government to reestablish the Nigerian Cocoa Board to regulate and subsidized jute bags, chemicals and other welfare incentives like single digits interest on loan citing Ghana which regulate the cost of their products making it more appealing than those labelled Nigeria. 

The sessions also witnessed practical geo-mapping using Kobocollect app, questions and answers. 

Dignitaries in attendance were from CR-ADP, NIFOR, CRIN, Agric Officers from the 18 LGAs, Folur-IP, FAO GEF7.