…stuck at 300kg p/htare despite improved seedlings — CRIN Africa needs climate-resilient cocoa varieties to boost yield — IITA By Cynthia Alo & Kafayat Kokumo The Federal Government (FG) has said that Nigeria loses about $2 billion annually in potential value from cocoa because the country’s processing capacity is large…

…in custody shortly after local vigilantes arrested him over an accusation of stealing cocoa seeds. He was reportedly arrested on Wednesday and taken to the palace of the Alagbeye of Agbeye before being handed over to the police. A video sighted by Saturday PUNCH showed the deceased being subjected to corporal punishmen…

Gunmen abducted two Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria staff and one other person in Oluyole LGA, Oyo State, during office hoursThe kidnappers attempted to seize more victims at the CRIN Central Nursery but were driven back by security personnel in a gunfightThe abductors contacted the families of the three captives a…

…on Wednesday afternoon. Olivia Piccolo, 29, made the discovery when arriving at the Cocoa, Florida, home of her ex-husband, 37-year-old Joseph Dingwall, to collect her seven-year-old son, Remy, and five-year-old daughter, Aria. "It was her day to have custody of her children and after she got to the house to try to rea…

By Adeola Badru Gunmen have abducted three people, including two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Idi Ayunre, in the Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, and demanded N120 million for their release. The victims were identified as Mrs Eunice Babalola, leader of CRIN’s Central Nurse…

Three staff of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, CRIN, in Ibadan, have been kidnapped. The victims were reportedly snatched from a farm within the premises of the institute while inspecting crops. Public Relations Officer of the Oyo Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade confirmed the abduction, noting investigations…

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of three staff of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, saying efforts are underway to rescue them and arrest the perpetrators. The victims were reportedly abducted this morning October 9, while inspecting crops on a farm within the institute'…

…initiative. He also challenged scientists and skilled artisans to develop solar-powered cocoa-drying equipment to modernise and accelerate cocoa processing, which he described as an important opportunity for wealth creation and foreign exchange earnings. *CONTINUITY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND WEALTH CREATION*Olowolafe identif…

…to China was already delivering results, with more Nigerian premium products including cocoa, avocados and coffee gaining access to Chinese households. She listed Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lekki Free Trade Zone and Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone as flagship projects driving Nigeria’s industrialization, noting that the two z…

Farmer found de@d on cocoa plantation after he failed to come home in Ondo A 52-year-old farmer, Ajibade Kehinde, has been found d£ad on his cocoa plantation at Alani Camp, near Supare in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State. Kehinde left home for the farm on Thursday, September 3, 2026, but failed to r…

…The Federal Government also flagged off the distribution of one million improved hybrid cocoa seedlings nationwide in mid-2026 through CRIN. The Nigerian Conservation Foundation runs seed-exchange schemes in Yobe. Officials describe this as productivity and food security. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security,…

…5.83 per cent and First HoldCo rose 1.17 per cent. At the top of the gainers’ chart, FTN Cocoa Processors advanced by the maximum 10 per cent, followed by other strong performers including MC Nichols, SUNU Assurances, Sovereign Trust Insurance and Caverton Offshore Support Group. On the decliners’ side, Tripple Gee and…

…the state.The governor also gave N1m each to 66 award recipients at a ceremony held at Cocoa Conference Centre in Akure.The gesture was part of a wider event recognising outstanding students, teachers, and national award recipients across Ondo State.

Goldberg Lager has unveiled a monumental talking drum installation atop the iconic Cocoa House in Ibadan, Oyo State, as part of its efforts to celebrate Yoruba heritage and cultural identity. The unveiling, which took place recently, brought together cultural stakeholders, government representatives, entertainers, medi…

…to the Chinese market. He said commodities including sesame, ginger, cashew nuts and cocoa could benefit from improved access to China, potentially increasing farmers’ incomes and strengthening the rural economy. “With this zero-tariff access, these products can now compete effectively in China, offering a substantial…

Cocoa farm worker k!lled in Cross River; police hunts three suspects The police in Cross River State have launched a manhunt for three suspects accused of k!lling a cocoa farm worker during an attack on a farmland in Boki Local Government Area of the state. The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 5, at a cocoa farm…

…the Nigerian Red Cross Society, focused on evaluating the impact of recent flooding on cocoa farmlands and the livelihoods of residents. The team, led by the Acting Head of Operations of NEMA’s Akwa Ibom and Cross River Operations Office, Awoji Austin, and the Director-General of CR-SEMA, Efa Nyong, travelled by boat t…

…stage for a €25 million flagship agricultural programme focusing on Nigeria’s dairy and cocoa value chains.” He also revealed that consultations were ongoing with the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission to facilitate President Bola Tinubu’s proposed official visit to Brussels, with October 20…

…the polls on Sunday as President Carlos Vila Nova seeks a fresh five-year mandate in the cocoa-producing island nationThe vote comes after Vila Nova’s split from the powerful ADI party, leaving him to run as an independent against three challengersWith 142,298 registered voters, the election is seen as a crucial test o…

…the deceased’s second daughter, Abdulazeez Rofiat, said her father left home for his cocoa farm but never returned. She said local hunters later found his body in a nearby bush after discovering his motorcycle at the farm. “We want those responsible for this terrible crime to be identified, arrested, and prosecuted acc…

…Isalu, Isin Local Government Area, at about 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, for his cocoa farm in Owa-Onire, where he earned his livelihood, but failed to return home later that day, prompting concern among family members. She explained that after repeated attempts to reach him proved unsuccessful, the family alerte…

…with the Bank of Agriculture, make more investments in the production of crops such as cocoa, palm kernel, and palm oil, among others, and ensure that agricultural value chains translate into tangible benefits for the future. In his remarks, the Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Owan Enoh, explained the Preside…

…Washington reversed its visa restrictions and lifted a 15 percent tariff on its cocoa and agricultural exports. But even doing a deportation deal has not helped Equatorial Guinea escape its travel ban. – ‘Legal black hole’ – These deals have been shrouded in secrecy with the number of people deported — and the countrie…

…He said IITA possesses extensive experience in commodity development, particularly in cocoa and cassava, adding that the institute is eager to deploy its expertise to complement Governor Makinde's vision for agricultural transformation. According to him, "IITA has significant expertise in cocoa and cassava development,…

By Cynthia Alo The Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa, COCEFAAA, has warned that global cocoa prices could rise above $10,000 per tonne again as multinational food companies channel investments into laboratory-grown cocoa instead of supporting smallholder farmers across Africa. The association said…