In the face of escalating climate change impacts around the globe, climate-smart agriculture has become crucial for the success and sustainability of farming activities. Recognizing this, the Foundation for Partnership Initiates in the Niger Delta region (PIND) is collaborating with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) to develop a Cocoa Climate-Smart Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Manual. This initiative targets explicitly cocoa farmers in the Niger Delta region, aiming to enhance their resilience and ensure they remain at a competitive advantage in the agricultural market.
In line with this, a meeting was held in Ondo State on May 17, 2024, bringing together stakeholders from the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), agricultural input companies, members from the Rain Forest Alliance, cocoa research exporters, farmer representatives from the Niger Delta, farm service providers, and sector experts. The event aimed to discuss and refine the manual ensuring it was tailored to the needs of farmers within the region. The goal is to optimize cocoa yields, improve the quality of agricultural inputs, and build long-term resilience to climate change in the region.
Given the unique challenges faced by farmers in the Niger Delta, the primary objective of this initiative was to review the first draft of the climate-smart cocoa manual, initially produced by CRIN in 2023, making it more practical and user-friendly. This review incorporated strategies such as diversification through crop rotation, intercropping, and multiple cropping, which were essential for promoting sustainability among the stakeholders.
Key stakeholders at the review meeting included: Dr. Remi Agbeniyi, Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN); Olasupo Festus, Technical Director, CRIN; Kazeem Sanni, Manager, Rainforest Alliance; Adeniwuro Oloruntoba, Climate Smart Expert; Olatokunbo Agbetuyi, Seed Consultant; and Emmanuel Ehimika, representing farmers, cooperative societies, and farm service providers.
By tailoring the manual to address the specific needs of the Niger Delta region, the meeting seeks to contribute, validate and enhance the existing content of the Climate Smart manual, by adapting practices to the current global climate change conversation.
PIND Foundation’s efforts in supporting the development of of this climate-smart manual underscores the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in building a resilient agricultural sector. By empowering cocoa farmers within the region with the tools and knowledge they need to adapt to climate change, PIND is helping to ensure the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the region’s cocoa industry.
This Initiative is laudable.
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