The sustainablity of Nigerian cocoa sector through good agricultural practices

Abstract

The goal of sustainability requires addressing philosophical, economical and sociological issues as well as environmental and scientific questions. Sustainable agriculture embraces all agricultural systems that are socially acceptable, economically viable and environmentally safe. It is an important element of the overall effort to make human activities compatible with the demands of the earth's eco-system. While sustainable agriculture is based on long-term goals and not a specific set of farming practices, it is usually accompanied by a reduction of purchased inputs (pesticides and fertilizers) in favor of managing on-farm resources. Cocoa accounted for a greater part of the foreign exchange generated for the country between 1950s and 70s. Nigeria is currently the 5^th world producer of cocoa, with an estimated production of 165,000 metric tons in 2006/07. The high cost of production, limited availability of inputs and lack of workable credit facilities has led to the dwindling productivity and very minimal profit margins for small holders cocoa farmers in Nigeria. Many of them have virtually abandoned their cocoa farms, investing minimal time and money to maintain the farms. This neglect has exacerbated many pest and disease problems such as the cocoa swollen shoot virus (CSSV), black pod disease and the cocoa mirids. However, due to the recent global economic meltdown, decline in oil prices and reserves and domestic food insecurity, there is an urgent need to resuscitate the cocoa sector through a viable sustainable GAP approach as a veritable means of boosting the nation’s economy.