Women cocoa farmers in Ondo State have called on the federal and state governments to ensure their inclusion in the African Cocoa Agenda 2063.
They emphasised the need for financial support, training, and improved market access to enhance their contributions to the cocoa sector.
The appeal was made during a stakeholder engagement held on Friday in Ile-Oluji, organised by the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) in partnership with the Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (AWITA). Discussions centred on the critical role women play in the cocoa value chain and the necessity of involving them in shaping policies and investment strategies.
Mrs Akinbusola Morohunmubo, leader of the AWITA Cocoa Cluster in Ile-Oluji, noted that women participate actively in all stages of cocoa production—from planting to post-harvest processing—but remain largely excluded from formal support systems and training opportunities.
“Women are at the heart of cocoa farming in the southwest, yet we continue to face challenges like high input costs, lack of training, and being sidelined in decision-making processes,” she said. “For Nigeria to truly benefit from the African Cocoa Agenda 2063, women must be included and empowered.”
Speaking at the event, dRPC’s Head of Research and Analysis, Mr Kareem Abdulrazak, described the African Cocoa Agenda 2063 as a continent-wide initiative led by the African Union.
The agenda aims to transform cocoa production into a sustainable, inclusive, and profitable sector aligned with the AU’s broader development goals.
He noted that the framework offers a long-term opportunity for structural reform in the industry, especially for women.
“This is a 50-year vision for an inclusive cocoa economy,” Abdulrazak said. “It’s crucial that women in Nigeria are not just participants but also key influencers in shaping cocoa policy.”
AWITA’s National President, Mrs Ruth Agbo, reinforced this message, stressing the importance of women’s economic empowerment for national development.
“We will continue to engage with stakeholders, including NGOs and government agencies, to strengthen women-led enterprises in the cocoa sector and ensure their long-term sustainability,” she said.
As part of the advocacy efforts, the dRPC-AWITA delegation also met with officials of the Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, including the Permanent Secretary, Mr F.O. Tunde Daramola. The visit aimed to foster state-level collaboration for inclusive cocoa policy implementation.
The women cocoa farmers urged the government to prioritise training in modern cocoa farming techniques, improve access to credit, and ensure women’s representation in all development initiatives under the African Cocoa Agenda 2063.
