Increasing cocoa production through effective marketing of cocoa spraying chemicals in Nigeria

Abstract

Chemicals to control the diseases and pests of cocoa have been used in Nigeria for over three decades. This paper examines the marketing system for these chemicals with the aim of identifying the causes of inefficiency in the system in relation to the problems of on-farm acquisition of subsidized chemicals. All channels through which the chemicals (subsidized and unsubsidized) are distributed were examined. Village markets were visited and 266 farmers from the main cocoa belt of Nigeria were interviewed as to the problems they encounter in acquiring and using chemicals. Over 72 per cent of farmers indicated that they bought their chemicals in the open market, and about 51 per cent indicated that they were not even aware of subsidized chemicals. Other findings include lack of knowledge about new chemicals, inappropriate packaging of some chemicals, late release of subsidized chemicals and release of the chemicals during the ‘lean’ season. The paper concludes with some recommendations and suggests a distribution system which could ensure more and better utilization of subsidized cocoa spraying chemicals.