The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Trade and Climate Resilience Enhancement (TRACE) Project has commenced the distribution of hybrid cocoa seedlings to beneficiary farmers across communities in Ekiti as part of efforts to rejuvenate cocoa production in the state.
The Ekiti Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, said in a statement on Tuesday that the exercise aligned with the state government's plan to raise 10 million improved cocoa seedlings over the next 10 years to restore Ekiti's position as a leading cocoa-producing state.
Boluwade said the initiative was being implemented through a partnership involving the USDA TRACE Project, the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
He explained that the project was designed to promote sustainable cocoa production, traceability and improved quality to enhance the competitiveness of Ekiti cocoa in the international market.
According to him, improved hybrid cocoa pods had earlier been supplied to selected farmers across the state, who, alongside members of Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) established under the USDA TRACE Project, successfully raised the pods into healthy seedlings now being distributed for field planting.
The commissioner added that beneficiary farmers were also receiving practical training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), including proper spacing, recommended planting techniques, climate-smart farming methods and the integration of compatible shade trees to improve productivity and climate resilience.
He said the project was promoting responsible cocoa production by encouraging environmentally friendly practices that discourage deforestation and child labour while ensuring compliance with international export standards.
Boluwade said the USDA TRACE Project would monitor the establishment and performance of the distributed seedlings and provide continuous technical support to farmers to ensure adherence to recommended agronomic practices.
He added that the distribution and sensitisation exercise was ongoing across the state, assuring participating farmers that compatible shade tree seedlings would also be provided to complement the cocoa plantations and strengthen climate adaptation efforts.
According to him, the positive response from beneficiary farmers demonstrates growing confidence in the initiative, which is expected to increase cocoa productivity, improve farmers' livelihoods and support the state's target of producing one million improved cocoa seedlings annually over the next decade.
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