By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Governors in Nigeria have been urged to make land available to youth farmers for the cultivation of cocoa.
This plea was made yesterday by the Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, at the first International Cocoa Summit in Abuja declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari.
In his address, the Senate President, represented by Senator Yusuf Abdullahi Yusuf, assured cocoa farmers that the National Assembly would consider legislation aimed at promoting cocoa production in the country.
The Senate President disclosed that the cash crop has all what it takes to propel economic growth, especially at the time of recession.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh, said that Federal Government was planning a relaunch of cocoa production in the South-West part of the country.
Mr Ogbeh revealed that Ondo and Cross River States produced 60 percent of cocoa in the country and urged other states to join in the production to promote non-oil export.
On his part, Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, said the summit would enable stakeholders to brainstorm with a view to achieving economic diversification and maximum return on investments.
President of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mr Sayina Riman, said that a five year strategic plan would be formulated at the end of the conference to move the sector forward.
“This sector is apt because we will arrive at a document to upscale Nigeria cocoa production,” he said.
Dipo Olowookere 
Adedapo Adesanya