We must consume what we produce- Stakeholders

1st International Cocoa Summit Abuja

Stakeholders present at the first international cocoa summit in Abuja have called on Nigerians to increase local consumption of cocoa in the country so as to be relevant among the comity of nation doing well in cocoa industry.


Dr. Victor Iyama, President, Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association (FACAN) said the only solution for Nigerians farmers to stop losing money due to fall in prices of cocoa at the international market is to increase local consumption.

 
“We should produce, process and consume the final products of cocoa like cocoa drink and chocolate . Our government must also add it to the federal government school feeding programme. He said if Nigerians want cocoa to be sold for $5000 per ton we must consume cocoa.

Also, Dr. Jean-Marc Anga, Executive Director International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) stated that Nigeria has the potential to play a leading role in the cocoa sector in Africa and in the world and it must harness all its resources to play that role for its own benefit and for that of the whole African continent.

He also said the promotion of consumption of cocoa products at origin should be another pillar of the national cocoa plan for Nigeria.

 

“This is where Nigeria has a comparative advantage in terms of the size of its population and high middle class. Giving the low cocoa prices at the international level, we need to strongly promote local consumption of cocoa products through various measures to increase demand for cocoa bean to keep pace with increase in cocoa production.

Also, Akin Olusuyi, President Cocoa Processors Association of Nigeria (COPAN) noted that Nigerians should begin to consume cocoa to develop the local market.