By Gladys Ekpo-Ita
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s cocoa sector have been urged to embrace cluster and cooperative models as strategic tools for improving productivity, strengthening market access, and enhancing the competitiveness of the cocoa value chain.
The call was made by the Cross River State Coordinator of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Mr. Obot Anozeng Eteng during a one-day workshop on “Development of Cocoa Value Chain Using Cluster and Cooperative Model” held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Obudu Hall, Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC), Prof. Eyo Ita House, Calabar.
The workshop, organized by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), brought together cocoa farmers, cooperative societies, processors, exporters, government agencies, and other stakeholders to explore practical approaches for strengthening the cocoa industry through collective action and value chain integration.
Mr. Obot Anozeng Eteng aligned the workshop theme with the Council’s mandate of promoting the sustainable development and utilization of Nigeria’s industrial raw materials. Noting that cocoa remains a critical industrial raw material with significant economic potential. He said that aggregation, quality improvement, and effective farmer organization are essential for unlocking greater value within the sector.
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He said a sustained cluster system will help boost cocoa growth and value chain development in Nigeria. He further reaffirmed RMRDC’s commitment to providing technical support, research-based information, and collaborative interventions that will enable cocoa farmers to meet industrial standards and international market requirements.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the State Coordinator of NEPC, Mr. Owoicho Oklobia, highlighted the importance of cocoa as Nigeria’s leading non-oil export commodity. He emphasized that the adoption of cluster and cooperative structures would improve production volumes, product quality, traceability, and farmers’ incomes while enhancing the country’s export competitiveness.
Also speaking at the event, a representative of the Cross River State Ministry of Commerce reiterated the State Government’s commitment to commercial agriculture and export promotion. The Ministry assured stakeholders of continued policy support, noting that cluster and cooperative development aligns with the state’s economic growth and job creation agenda.
The technical session was facilitated by Mr. Ken Asim, who delivered a comprehensive presentation on cocoa value chain development, cluster formation, and cooperative development strategies. He explained the various stages of the cocoa value chain, including input supply, production, post-harvest management, processing, and export marketing.
Mr. Asim emphasized the importance of geographic clustering, shared facilities, cooperative governance, record keeping, aggregation systems, and financial linkages. He noted that well-structured clusters and cooperatives provide opportunities for bulk input procurement, quality control, traceability, stronger bargaining power, and improved access to premium markets.
A major focus of the presentation was the role of cluster-based production systems in meeting the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), particularly in ensuring farm-level traceability and compliance for export markets.
During the interactive question-and-answer session, participants sought clarification on cooperative registration procedures, access to finance, input supply mechanisms, and EUDR compliance requirements. Resource persons, including Mr. Eteng, provided practical guidance and highlighted RMRDC’s role in supporting raw material development through research, capacity building, and stakeholder collaboration.
The workshop revealed strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of the cluster and cooperative model. Presentations referenced results from the 2SCALE Nigeria programme, TRACE initiatives, and academic studies indicating significant improvements in productivity, technical efficiency, and profitability among organized farmer groups.
Participants also observed that Cross River State possesses the agro-ecological conditions, farmer population, and institutional support necessary for rapid adoption of the model. The anticipated benefits include increased farmer incomes, improved processing efficiency, enhanced export traceability, higher government revenue, and stronger community resilience.
Stakeholders further projected that effective implementation of the model could support the achievement of ambitious targets by 2030, including cocoa production exceeding 200,000 metric tonnes, increased farmer incomes, and the establishment of a fully traceable Cross River cocoa brand that meets international standards.
To sustain momentum, participants recommended the immediate conduct of feasibility studies and cluster mapping exercises, formalization and strengthening of cocoa cooperatives, development of public-private partnerships, deployment of digital traceability systems, and continuous capacity-building programmes on good agricultural practices, post-harvest handling, and cooperative governance.
