Cocoa Farming System In Nigeria (Cross River State)

 Cocoa Farming - A Money Yielding Crops

As we all know that the demand for cocoa seed is extremely high in the international market and the international price is quite encouraging to farmers. The crop is a perennial crop that is planted once and the harvest keeps coming, year in year out depending on the management practices.


The cocoa beans are one of the most in-demand agricultural produce in the market anywhere in the world. Once cocoa beans have been fermented and dried, they can be processed to produce a variety of products. These products include; Cocoa butter, Cocoa powder, Cocoa liquor, etc

However, to establish a cocoa plantation, various factors need to be put into consideration. This includes; climate of the locality, average rainfall per millimeter, temperature, humidity, and type of soil and planting material.
For optimum production or productivity, rainfall could actually be supplemented with modern irrigation in cases of erratic rainfall. For optimum performance, 1250 to 3000mm per annum of rainfall is required. The dried-up period must not be further than three months. Cocoa trees are susceptible than other tropical crops to moisture stress.
Picture showing Mr John Okpa
John Okpa
Based on the required temperature, 30 to 32oC is considered favorable for crop performance. Humidity has to be taken into consideration too. High humidity can lead to the spread of fungal diseases which may affect the growth of the cocoa crop and the storage and drying of it could be at risk also.
As an agricultural soil scientist, a variety of soil types could be favorable to the cocoa plant. The soil ought to be such as allowing uncomplicated access of roots able to retained dampness during the warm season of the year. Clay loams and sandy loams are not appropriate for cocoa farming. Although, it is strongly recommended to carry out a soil physiochemical analysis at the beginning of the project; you can do your soil analysis by visiting reputable government institutions with your soil samples especially when the size of the land is more than five hectares. At planting, the potting mixture and type of sowing must consist of farmyard manure, sand, and soil in identical magnitude to propagate the cocoa seedlings.
Considering the mode of propagation, cocoa can be propagated sexually (seed) and asexually (vegetative manner). Cocoa seed can be raise into seedlings; seeds of grown-up pods are taken from lofty yielding mother plants which should generate one hundred pods per year. Note: Improved Cocoa Seedlings(starts fruiting within 18-22months) can be gotten from CRIN and ADP offices within Ikom At Etung Cross River Nigeria.
At harvest, a cocoa seed can naturally lose its viability 7days after harvest if not properly store or process. Therefore, proper storage is the key to avoid this from happening.
NOTE: The best time to sow seeds in the nursery is during the month of December to January and it is strongly advisable to site your nursery very close to your farm.
Agriculture is the key for a better Nigeria, get on the right track by sowing a seed today. For more information Email At Okpaj2020@gmail.com or visit our website on

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