Great opportunities exist in the Nigerian cocoa sector but persistent low productivity, absence of institutional control and administrative inefficiencies in the sector are resulting in low profitability for farmers. As a result of poor quality, Nigerian cocoa beans are being sold at a discount price in the international market, resulting in low profitability for actors in the value chain especially the farmers.

With some of PIND Foundation’s interventions attaining full maturity and reaching scale, PIND has been solidifying its expansion into the cocoa sector, as the sector has growth potential and ability to increase income and employment.

Within 5 years, PIND’s vision is that the cocoa industry in the Niger Delta will be characterized by improved linkages and communications between smallholder farmers and the processors and exporters, with mutual incentives. The industry will have strong supporting service providers delivering the inputs, extension, and technologies that smallholder farmers need to upgrade leading to increasing productivity and higher quality cocoa to meet market demand resulting in higher income for farmers.

This vision will be achieved by working in three strategic areas:

• Enhancing better coordination of the value chain by improving relationships between producers, aggregators (licensed buying agents and factors) and exporters.
• Ensuring the quality of cocoa beans through improvements in primary processing and postharvest activities (pod breaking, fermentation, drying) by introducing enhanced technologies and advocacy on the benefits of good quality beans.
• Increasing productivity and yield in cocoa plantations by working with input companies and agro dealers to demonstrate good agronomic practices.