‘Cocoa Cultivation, Lucrative’

In line with the present Federal Government’s transformation agenda, especially in respect of  agriculture, a cocoa farmer has expressed his desire to redouble effort toward the cultivation of the crop.

Mr Verygood Wekulom from Dighiriga Community in the Abua/Odual local government area of Rivers State who spoke to our correspondent over the weekend said although he inherited Cocoa farming from his late father, “the venture has been worthwhile”.

Wekulom, whose farm spans three hectres from the barely half hectre he inherited from his late father has, according to him, satisfied his economic as well as his social life.

He said the introduction of hybrid varieties of Cocoa seedlings by the present administration has boosted yield and output which has also positively affected his economic base.

He recalled when his late father used to tell stories about the famous Cocoa house storey building at Ibadan built solely from proceeds of Cocoa cultivation which made him develop interest in the cultivation of the economic crop.

Wekulom, who also cultivates other crops like plantain, banana among others said he preferred making Cocoa a major crop not only due to its economic value but that Cocoa does fine at the tropics and was not affected by too much rain.

He called on the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture to give attention to Cocoa cultivation just as it was being done to plantain and cassava among others.

On how he has been able to manage three hectres of his farm over the years, Mr Wekulom said he uses direct labour during clearing, replanting harvest and processing of the Cocoa bean.

He further added that many of the indigenes of his community has benefited one way or the other economically through working on his farm and called on them, especially the younger ones to set up their own Cocoa farms.