Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged cocoa farmers in Nigeria to establish strong farmer institutions to achieve food security.
This call was made at a summit of All Commodities Value Chain Associations Representatives in Nigeria, which aimed to strengthen the country’s agricultural farmers’ institutions and build a resilient agricultural supply chain.
Obasanjo emphasized the importance of farmers’ empowerment in achieving food security, citing the Soyabeans Farmers Association of America as a model for Nigerian farmers to follow. He encouraged farmers’ leaders to “take their destiny in their hands” by forming strong associations that can contribute to national decision-making processes.
The National President of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) highlighted the organization’s role in representing cocoa farmers’ interests since the dissolution of the Cocoa Board in 1986. CFAN has been working to provide a unified voice for cocoa farmers at the national, state, and local government levels.
Obasanjo’s call to action is particularly significant, given his previous emphasis on treating food as a national security need. By strengthening their institutions, cocoa farmers can play a crucial role in achieving food security and contributing to Nigeria’s sustainable agricultural development.