ABIA STATE GOVT TO ESTABLISH COCOA PROCESSING PLANT

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

Abia State Government has restated resolve to establish a cocoa processing industry to turn around the fortune of cocoa production in the state.

The State Deputy Governor, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu, announced this during a meeting with members of the State Cocoa Transformation Committe and Major Stakeholders in Cocoa Agro Business at the Government House, Umuahia.

While explaining that the essence of the meeting was to acquaint them with Government policy direction and thrust on Cocoa production, Mr. Emetu noted that the 16 potential Cocoa LGAs in the State would be given necessary support to ensure that Abia farmers were not left behind.

He stressed that Cocoa farming contributes to the food security and nutrition, organic fertilizers, provision of raw materials for industries and source of foreign exchange.

The Deputy Governor, who lamented that Agbozu Cocoa Estate in Uzuakoli in Bende LGA had been leased out, directed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture to furnish him with the lease agreement for necessary action.

In their separate remarks, the State Cocoa Desk Officer, Dr. Ojo Uma, and the Chairman, Abia State Chapter of Cocoa Association of Nigeria, Mr. John Kalu, said the state ranked 8th among Cocoa producers and appealed to the state government to encourage Cocoa farmers by subsidizing and distributing improved Cocoa seedlings and other inputs at subsidized rates, commence yearly launch of Cocoa planting season, training and retraining of farmers amongst others.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU