From boom to bust—Kogi cocoa farmers are struggling to stay afloat as prices tumble and losses mount.
Cocoa farmers in Kogi State are raising alarm over a sharp drop in prices, urging government intervention to save their livelihoods and stabilise the sector.
The state chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Adobanyi Salihu, said the crash is largely due to overproduction, with supply now exceeding demand and leaving many farmers without buyers.
He called for stronger government involvement in the cocoa value chain—especially in marketing and securing international markets where small-scale farmers lack access and bargaining power.
Farmers also highlighted poor storage facilities as a major issue, saying post-harvest losses are forcing many to cut production or abandon cocoa altogether.
For growers like Soji Adeleye, the impact is already severe. After taking loans to invest in cocoa farming, he now fears he may not recover his costs. Others, like Jide Ariyo, say they may quit farming entirely if conditions don’t improve.
Experts, including officials from the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, warn the situation reflects both global market pressures and local challenges such as weak infrastructure.
They are calling for urgent policies—ranging from subsidies and credit access to better storage and market linkages—to protect farmers and sustain Nigeria’s cocoa industry.
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