Cocoa |
Cocoa, according to
the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), was introduced by the
Portuguese into the Gulf of Guinea from where it got to Nigeria around
the last quarter of the 19th Century. The introduced variety was the
Amelonado.
This variety later
became unique to West Africa, hence the name "West African Amelonado",
for its significant chocolate flavor which remains a benchmark in the
World Cocoa Industry till date.
Experts like Dr.
Victor Inyama, former President Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), said
cocoa can grow in 27 states including Kaduna. The crop can sustain a
farmer for the next 70 years. Also, there are available varieties that
can start producing after four years.
A tonne of the cocoa beans cost between N800, 000 to N1.2 million depending on the location in Nigeria and the demand is high.
Getting affordable seed/seedlings
Apart from other
good varieties, the eight hybrids available in Cocoa Research Institute
of Nigeria (CRIN) Ibadan are CRIN TC-1, CRIN TC-2, CRIN TC-3, CRIN TC-4,
CRIN TC-5,CRIN TC-6, CRIN TC-7 and CRIN TC-8.
These eight hybrids
have diverse genetic base; they are early bearing, high yielding with
very low input, resistant to major pests and diseases of cocoa, highly
adaptable to cocoa ecologies of Nigeria, very good cocoa quality traits.
Seedling cost
The cost of the
seedlings at CRIN are (a) WACRI costs N100 per seedlings, (b) F3 Amazon
will cost a farmer N120 per seedling (c) Hybrid-open Pollination is N150
per Seedlings (d) Hybrid-Hand Pollinated N200 per seedling and (e)
Budded, N500 per seedling.
Choosing a site for cocoa farm
The Food and
Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations suggested that if a
cocoa tree is to grow well, it needs more than anything else a soil
must be of good structure, permeable and deep.
If the soil is of
good structure and contains much humus, the roots penetrate well. You
can improve the soil structure by spreading manure and working it into
the soil. If the soil is deep, the roots can go down to a good depth.
Farmers are advised never to plant cocoa trees in soil with a lot of stones, or in soil where there is some hard layer.
Planting
You can do inter cropping in your cocoa farm, with crops such as plantain, banana, oil palm, coconut and other crops.
In such cases,
depending on the inter-crop, a distance of 2.7 to 7 metres should be
maintained. The farmer should also consult expert from the research
institute on some of the best global practices.
Weeding and soil cover
The FAO noted that
many weeds grow among the cocoa tree rows and advised farmers not to let
weeds take nourishment away from the cocoa trees.
The UN agency said
when the cocoa trees are young, farmers should weed 4 or 5 times every
year; and when the cocoa trees are bigger, they cast a lot of shade and
so few weeds will grow therefore it will be enough to weed once a year.
Between the rows of
cocoa trees, you should not leave the soil bare; cover the soil either
with cut weeds or with palm fronds, if available. In this way the soil
is protected against sun and erosion; it stays moist and cool and when
the weeds rot, they give the soil organic matter.
Pruning cocoa trees
The cocoa tree is a
tree that develops well. Sometimes, during the first year, several
shoots form on the trunk. Cut off these shoots and leave only the
strongest. Sometimes, the crown forms too low down, at less than 1 metre
above ground level.
Choose a shoot
which grows straight up and let it develop. A new crown will then form
at a good height, and the first crown will stop growing.
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