SUNDAY PUNCH APRIL 10, 201 1 OCOA production is a very important source of livelihood for over 400,000 small holder farmers in Nigeria. In addition to being a major source of employment, cocoa is \'Iigeria's largest non-oil foreign exchange earner. The latest statistics from the Nigerian Export PrQmotion Council show that Nigeria has earned N232.5bn from the export of cocoa within the last two years wi th the bulk going to the European Union countries.
Specifically, in 2009 , Nigeria earned $662 ,295,907 while in 2010, the country earn ed $882 ,812,8 13 from the export of cocoa products. This accounted for about 38.5 per cent of the non-oil export for the year 2010. And with cocoa currently selling for over N500 per kilogram me, there are strong indications that Nigeria's foreign exchange earnings from the product will increase by at least 35 per cent this year. Despite the immense potential of cocoa as the nation's major foreign exchange earner, the latest reports from the International Cocoa Agency Organisation, the global regulatory organ that monitors and regulates the sale of cocoa at the international market, show that the country's cocoa exported to the international market stands the risk o f being rejected owing to the use of substandard chemicals by farmers. Globally, consumers of cocoa products look for cocoa-rela ted products, wh ich contain minimal pesticide residues. This has led to the introduction of maximum residue limits (MRLs) by some countries. The MRLs restrict the allowable pesticide content in cocoa and cocoa products in order to protect consumers from the harmful effects of chemicals . For instance, Japan introduced new legislation on MRLs in 2006, while the European Union introduced new regulations on MRLS in 2008 . The problem, however, is that cocoa importing cou ntries usc different methodologies to establish MRLs and different analytical methods to determine pesticide residues in cocoa beans. Also, the different MRL levels in different countries and the different measurement technologies constitute complications for international trade in cocoa .
Investigations by our correspondent
Agric - Economy
BUSINESS
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Substandard chemicals threaten Nigeria's N232.5bn cocoa export market - Investigation The Federal Government's efforts to move the nation away from a mono-economy, petroleum, may have received a significant leap from cocoa industry, EMEKA EZEKIEL writes that the over 100bn currently being earned annually through the exportation of cocoa has come under major threat revealed that there were growing concerns from the government and cocoa farmers over the likely negative impact of the use of substandard chemicals on Nigeria's cocoa export . The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, NEPC, Mr. David Adulugba , who lamented the use of substandard chemicals by farmers, said, "The bulk of the export goes to the EU countries such as Netherlands, Germany; Spain; Belgium and Italy that form our major trading partners in the cocoa business. The Federal Government's desire is not only for cocoa to retain its international market share but also to expand that market through the increased production of high quality cocoa and cocoa products that translate into increased revenue for the country. "The Federal Government through the Nigerian Export Promotion Council has continued to encourage the development and promotion of cocoa products for the export market through the improvement of infrastructural facilities and our environment to make our products more competi tive. However, in an attempt to eradicate pests or put their population under bearable levels, we often utilise various substances to fight them." He added, "Over the years, the misuse of these pesticides in our justified attempt to control and attack pests has come to the fore. The misuse of these chemicals
often results in negative effects on persons, products, environment and livestock. Nigeria must not lose sight of the increasing demand for organiC p~oducts , including agriculture. " In an interview with our correspondent, the The National Vice-President, Cocoa Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Akin Gbadamosi, said the use of substandard chemicals by some cocoa farmers was a threat to the growth and development of the multi-billion naira cocoa industry. He also noted that the use of banned chemicals in cocoa production and processing put the Nigeria's cocoa industry at risk as the product may be rejected at the international market. H e said , "The European Union has a special fund for research , especially on cocoa. From their research, they detected that a lot of illnesses were affe cting their people through the consumption of cocoa . Consequently, they decided to trace the source of the problem. "Finally, they discovered that the bulk o f the cocoa imported into their countries had high ly concentrated chemicals. They also discovered that these chemicals had a lot effects on their citizens. The International Cocoa Organisation has identified cocoa as a leading commodity in the global economy. At the table of every European , chocolate, which is made from cocoa, usually comes first. For this reason, they have put
some legislation in place to protect their citizens. ' "We are collaborating with government agencies such th e NEPC to ensure that we sensitise key stakeholders, especially the Customs. As soon as the chemicals enter through our borders, we want them to examine the acti ve ingredients of the chemicals to ensure that they con'form wi.th international standards." As part of efforts towards tackling thi s problem , Gbadamosi said there was the need for the Federal Governm ent to carry out comprehensive inventory of all pesticides used for cocoa farming in Nigeria. H e also called on the government to ban the use of unapproved pesticides for cocoa farming in Nigeri a. He said , " We also want a situation where those that import these substandard chemicals should be prosecuted by the governm ent. This is the only way to save the multi-billion naira cocoa industry in Nigeria from collapse. "Farmers have traditionally applied fungiCides, insecticides and herbicides in their cocoa farms from ages past. Tradition also plays a critical role in the determination of when, how and the quantity of pesticides 'used in cocoa production. The timing, quantity, type and regularity of the applica ti on are predetermined. "Farmers get their pesticides from local marketers - who in most cases are itinerant hawkers . Little care (if any) is taken regarding product type, quality, recommendations for use, and other necessary information . Less care is given to how these chemicals are applied or stored " He added, "The Federal Government should carry out a comprehensive inventory of cocoa pesticide - resources sustainability, certification, traceability and social responsibility for pesticide import and marketing. Also, there is the need for research , extension , technology transfer, adoption of in novation and harmonisation of pesticide law in Nigeria. The Federal Government should ban the use of pesticides not approved for cocoa farming in Nigeria by EU . " In addition, the Cocoa Association of Nigeria, in collaboration with NEPC, National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control and Standards Organisation of Nigeria should mop up adulterated cocoa pesticides in the market and fade out non-EU approved cocoa pesticides across the country. For the sake of availability and affordability of approved pestiCides in Nigeria, the Customs waiver should be highly considered ."