The CocoaSoils Program has handed over its training manual on “Managing Soils for Increased Productivity and Decrease Deforestation” to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Nigeria to support the government’s efforts to intensify cocoa production.

The training manual was handed over to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammed Abubakar, by a team led by Dr Moses Ogunlade, the Focal Person for the CocoaSoils Program in Nigeria.

Dr Ogunlade explained that the project developed the training manual to help field officers pass on the latest knowledge in Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) and Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs) to cocoa farmers.

The team also presented the CocoaSoils handbook for farmers to the minister. The handbook was developed alongside the manual to guide smallholder cocoa farmers to adopt the latest knowledge in ISFM and GAPs.

The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammed Abubakar, commended the CocoaSoils project for developing the manual and farmers’ handbook. He described the two documents as exceptional achievements that will contribute immensely to increased yields for cocoa farmers in Nigeria.

The handing over ceremony was witnessed by Frank Kudla, the chairman of the CocoaSoils Partnership for Development (P4D) committee and the representatives of the Federal Department of Extension and Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development.

Cross-Section of dignitaries at the Handing Over ceremony of Training Manuals
L-R: - Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubarkar (The Honorable Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development), Dr Olaniyan Alabi-(Rep, of the Permanent Secretary/Director, Pest & Veterinary Control Services, FMARD) and Engr Frank Kudla-Director (Federal Department of Agricultural Extension/Chairman P4D Committee, CocoaSoil Program).