By Musa Waziri
A strategic stakeholders’ meeting focused on developing the cocoa value chain in Taraba State was held at the Office of the Deputy Governor in Jalingo. The high-level engagement, was convened recently by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Taraba State Coordination Office in collaboration with the Taraba State Government, brought together key players across the cocoa industry to chart a path toward increased production, improved quality control, and expanded market access for Taraba’s cocoa.
The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency Alh. Aminu Abdullahi Alkali, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mallam Usman Madu aimed at:
- Enhancing cocoa production through modern farming techniques and institutional support.
- Introducing quality control standards to meet global export requirements.
- Developing sustainable revenue generation and transparent collection mechanisms.
- Expanding marketing and distribution channels both locally and internationally.
- Strengthening collaboration across the cocoa value chain for long-term growth.
The meeting was attended by critical stakeholders in the cocoa value chain including, Director-General of the Taraba Chamber of Commerce Dr. Ben Zehma; RMRDC Taraba State, led by the state Coordinator, Mr. Ahmed Musa Waziri; Chairman of the Cocoa Producers Association of Taraba State, Alh. Haruna Adamu; Chairman of the Cocoa Merchants Association; representatives from government ministries, cooperatives, the private sector. And Industry, Mines and Agriculture (TACCIMA),
Participants unanimously agreed on the need for a standardized grading and quality control system. RMRDC, in partnership with TACCIMA and relevant government agencies, was tasked with initiating the development of quality benchmarks.
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The meeting also addressed critical challenges faced by local cocoa farmers and merchants. These included limited access to inputs, financing, and agricultural training. In response, the state government committed to enhancing capacity-building initiatives and establishing links with micro-credit schemes to support smallholder farmers.
On market expansion, stakeholders endorsed the organization of international trade expos and buyer-seller meetings to connect Taraba cocoa producers with global markets. The role of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and similar agencies in facilitating market access was also acknowledged.
To improve fiscal outcomes, the Deputy Governor’s Office proposed the creation of a transparent revenue monitoring and collection system for cocoa trade. This initiative will be jointly developed by the RMRDC and the State Ministry of Finance, with the aim of boosting internally generated revenue.
The importance of infrastructure was also highlighted, particularly the need for better roads, storage facilities, and cocoa processing centers. The government indicated its willingness to explore public-private partnerships (PPPs) to finance and manage these logistics and value addition facilities.
The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from all stakeholders to drive the growth of the cocoa sector in Taraba State. As part of the immediate next steps, it was agreed to:
Establish a Cocoa Value Chain Implementation Taskforce to oversee and coordinate the execution of resolutions, develop a Taraba Cocoa Development Roadmap, setting clear targets and timelines for implementation. And Strengthen inter-agency collaboration and mobilize investment into cocoa research, extension services, and processing.
The strategic engagement signals a renewed momentum for agricultural diversification in Taraba State, with cocoa poised to play a significant role in job creation, export earnings, and rural development.
