By Osagie Otabor, Akure

Dealers in cocoa have asked the federal government to regulate price of cocoa in the local market to save farmers from huge losses.

The dealers said the open market price for cocoa in the local market created opportunity for anybody with good money to ‘come in and buy’ from buyers

They said the open market price was not encouraging to organisations that encouraged farmers with inputs to produce the cocoa.

The cocoa dealers spoke at Isarun in Ifedore local government area of Ondo state during the grand finale of the School Children Quiz Competition and award presentation to Cocoa farmers organised by SUCDEN-OLAKOKO Project.

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Speaking at the event organised for some selected secondary schools from Osun, Edo, Ogun and Ondo states, Project Manager for Sucden Olakoko, Mrs Mopelola Fabunmi, said there was urgent need to regulate price of cocoa owing to the negative effect of COVID-19 pandemic.

She said the event was part of efforts to motivate cocoa farmers with education support for their children.

According to her, “The Olakoko Project ensures focus on these pillars not downgrading on any. We work relentlessly to ensure that the farmers are thoroughly trained on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and that the necessary information are taken and well documented.

“It is an annual programme organise by Olakoko to encourage farmers who sell cocoa to us. Because of the COVID-19, we decided to encourage education among the children of the farmers. We encourage cocoa farmers children to go to school.

“We also train and encourage our farmers to diversify so as to have something to lean on during the cocoa offseason. Our training pack for the farmers also include nutrition and health benefit of food which will avail our farmers to know the type of food to eat at a particular period and type of food necessary for a certain age group.

“Olakoko Project is not only all about increasing cocoa productivity but is also interested in the total well-being of our farmers and families as well as being committed to assist the farmers to eradicate or reduce to the barest minimum the issue of child labour in our great country, Nigeria.

A cocoa farmer, Mr. Bankole Ojo urged government to build rural roads to boost cocoa production in the country.

Ojo commended Olakoko project for organizing the Quiz competition and providing other motivational packages for cocoa farmers.