FIC Report (Abia State) – The Deputy Governor of Abia State Engineer Ikechukwu Emetu, who is also the Chairman of cocoa farmers development committee ,has promised to make cocoa farming in Abia State a lucrative business.
He disclosed this while having a meeting with some members of cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria and other stakeholders in cocoa farming in Abia State.
In his words “the purpose of this meeting is to make sure that the right thing is done in Abia State as far as cocoa cultivation, harvesting, monitoring and also to make sure that administration of cocoa in Abia is not treated trivially.
Emetu while hinting that Abia State is one the main cocoa producing state in Nigeria stated that Abia state government need to do business with people who are Abia personalized and are ready to put money directly into farmers pocket. This implies he further stated that the roles of middle men and stakeholders who he seriously frowned at their activities will not come into play again.
He noted that a proper feasibility study of Abia state cocoa rights will be done, criteria to be a cocoa merchant will be properly implanted, monitoring team will continue to update the government on the activities of cocoa farmers /merchants in Abia state and a review of cocoa merchants financial obligations to Government will be done.
“We will be very intentional in making sure that as government is benefiting, farmers and exporters are also benefiting.
The State Chairman of Cocoa Farmer Association of Nigeria (CFAN) Mr John K Kalu while speaking during the meeting stated that the purpose of the meeting with the Deputy Governor was to talk about how to improve the lots of cocoa farmers who he pointed out that after suffering to produce sell it at peanut comparatively to other states.
He however commended the present government for all there efforts to change the narrative and for their efforts to improve their welfare.
John pleaded with ABSG to halt the activities of middlemen who seem to make all their efforts seem meaningless and also implored government to help them map out their cocoa farms in government reserves.
Signed
Amah Ijeoma
FIC Correspondent
Deputy Governor’s office
