Sustainable Tree Crops Program - Nigeria
Project Dates: Pilot Phase 2003-2006, Phase II 2007-2011
Country: Nigeria
Funders: U.S. Agency for International Development, World Cocoa Foundation and global cocoa industry, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources/Sustainable Cocoa Development Committee (formerly known as the National Cocoa Development Committee)
Implementers: International Institute for Tropical Agriculture and national partners
Overview
Decades of underinvestment in the tree crops sector affected the rural economy of the tree crops belt of Nigeria. Cocoa, a major export-oriented cash crop, suffered a serious setback. From 2003-2006, STCP Nigeria worked with national partners to demonstrate innovative approaches to improving the productivity of cocoa farms in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner. This was accomplished through farmer training using the Farmer Field School approach, and strengthening of farmer organizations for effective member services and profitable trade engagements. Phase II seeks to improve economic and social well-being of smallholder tree crop farmers by building on its prior successes and promoting a resilient and supportive policy environment.
Program Objectives:
- To enhance productivity of cocoa farms in an environmentally and socially responsible manner
- To improve marketing efficiency in the cocoa sector
- To promote income alternatives in cocoa-farming communities
- To promote improvement in policy environment for effective transformation of the rural economy
Progress to Date:
- 12 States have the capacity to implement Farmer Field Schools. As a result of the successful Farmer Field School approach in the Pilot Phase, the National Cocoa Development Committee (NCDC) commissioned STCP to develop the capacity of cocoa-producing states to implement and manage Farmer Field Schools through their extension services. Participating states include: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo. Eight (Abia, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ekiti, Kwara, Ogun, Ondo, and Osun) have implemented Farmer Field Schools under the initiative while Cross River State has partnered with some communities to jointly implement farmer field schools
- 7,987 farmers trained through Farmer Field Schools. Graduates include: 2,204 farmers trained under the STCP core program; 300 farmers trained with funding from the Sustainable Practices in Agriculture for Critical Environments (SPACE) Project; 480 farmers trained with funding from SPACE, Cross River State extension services and farming communities jointly; 1,143 farmers trained by communities in collaboration with Cross River State extension services; and 3,860 farmers trained by the eight states (Abia, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ekiti, Kwara, Ogun, Ondo, and Osun) implementing Farmer Field Schools under the NCDC-led effort. A total of 17,578 farmers were trained by the graduates through guided farmer-to-farmer diffusion. In all Farmer Field Schools, farmers received training on topics related to integrated crop and pest management, quality improvement, and farm safety (including safety of children).
- 12 nursery sites established, producing 111,243 seedlings. STCP began a project with the state governments, the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, the NCDC and the Federal University of Technology Akure, to develop a farmer organization/community-led seedling production and distribution system. Over a period of three years, (2007-09) twelve nursery sites were established in five states (Abia, Cross River, Edo, Ondo, and Osun), and the selected communities were trained in nursery management
- 4 Cooperative Unions adopt collective marketing arrangements. The Tonikoko Farmers Cooperative Multipurpose Union (TFCMU), Cross River Advanced Cocoa Cooperative Union (CRACCU), Ituna High Quality Cocoa Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society (IFMCS), and Ife Cooperative Produce Marketing Union (ICPMU) adopted collective marketing arrangements. Three of the cooperative unions (CRACCU, IFMCS and ICPMU) established quality control laboratories. ICPMU experienced a 55% increase in its trading activities; for the trading year ending in March 2010, it traded 1,821 metric tons of cocoa as compared to 1,178 metric tons during the previous trading year.
Success Story: Cocoa Farming Communities Lead Extension Delivery in Cross River State
Success Story: Edo State - Integrating the Farmer Field School Approach into Extension Services
Success Story: Nursery Business Improves Livelihoods for Community
Success Story: Farmers Learn the Spirit of Sharing
Success Story: "Passion, Courage and Determination" - A Nigerian Farmer's Ingredients for Success