Shettima to go Into Cocoa Farming for Revival
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has announced plans to establish a cocoa farm, aimed at leading by example in reviving Nigeria’s cocoa industry. Shettima made the announcement on Monday during a meeting with a delegation from the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) at the presidential villa in Abuja.
According to Shettima, the move is part of the President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to transforming the country’s cocoa industry from merely producing cocoa to processing. The vice-president emphasized that his decision to establish a cocoa farm is driven by a desire to contribute to the social welfare of the country, rather than for profit.
“I want to walk the talk. It is not even about the profit criteria; no. It’s about the social welfare criteria – employing people. Look, let me take you to my farm and you’ll be convinced that the new Nigerian leadership is actively involved and is itching to drive the process,” Shettima said.
Shettima also expressed Nigeria’s readiness to work with the WCF on expanding investments in the nation’s cocoa industry. He assured the foundation that he would personally engage the governor of Taraba to secure 10,000 hectares in the Kurmi local government area for the WCF and its partners.
The meeting with the WCF delegation, led by its president, Chris Vincent, is seen as a significant step towards reviving Nigeria’s cocoa industry. The WCF is a leading international organization that works to promote sustainable cocoa production and improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
Nigeria was once a major player in the global cocoa market, but the country’s production has declined in recent years due to factors such as aging trees, disease, and lack of investment. The Tinubu administration has identified the cocoa industry as a key sector for growth and development, and Shettima’s initiative is seen as a crucial step towards achieving this goal.
The vice-president’s decision to establish a cocoa farm is also seen as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to leading by example and promoting private sector investment in the industry. By investing in a cocoa farm, Shettima is showing that the government is serious about reviving the industry and is willing to take practical steps to achieve this goal.
As the government continues to work with stakeholders to revive the cocoa industry, Nigerians are hopeful that the sector will experience a significant turnaround in the coming years. With the support of organizations like the WCF and the leadership of Vice-President Shettima, Nigeria’s cocoa industry is poised for a major comeback.
