Cocoa production in Nigeria has witness decline over the past few years. This is largely due to decreased investment within the agricultural sector and a better understanding of the global market for cocoa. As a result, Nigeria drop from fourth largest cocoa producing country to the fifth largest producer of cocoa in the world, with a projected capacity of 300,000 tonnes in 2020. In order to ensure that Nigeria’s cocoa industry remains sustainable and competitive in the future, planting of one of its more recent and improved cocoa varieties, the TC1 to 8 hybrid variety, is essential.
The TC1 to 8 hybrid variety was developed in Nigeria in 2011 by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in collaboration with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN). It is a high-yielding and disease tolerant variety, which results in larger yields of sweeter cocoa beans. Additionally, it has high-yielding characteristics that enable it to achieve high productivity even under challenging climatic and soil conditions.
Planting of the TC1 to 8 hybrid variety in Nigeria is beneficial on multiple levels. First, it is more resistant to disease, allowing for more continuous production when compared to other varieties. Additionally, it requires less water and fertilizer than other varieties, which minimizes environmental impacts on water pollution and soil nutrient depletion. Finally, it produces a higher quantity of cocoa beans, with each tree providing up to six times the amount of beans of other varieties, resulting in increased outputs of around 60,000 tonnes annually.
Not only does this increased output result in improved economic opportunities for farmers, but also benefits the general populace. Through increased production, more money becomes available for other Nigerian sectors, such as healthcare and education, which, in turn, can be used to provide better welfare and living standards for the citizens. Furthermore, larger amounts of cocoa production will ensure that Nigeria remains a competitive player in the world market.
Moreover, the increased demand for high-yielding and resistant cocoa varieties has led to the adoption of the TC1 to 8 hybrid variety by many other countries in Africa and elsewhere in the world. This follows the recognition of the immense potential of the variety to improve cocoa production and its environment-friendly characteristics.
In conclusion, in order for Nigeria to capture the full potential of the cocoa industry and remain competitive in the global market, the TC1 to 8 hybrid variety must become the standard for the cocoa industry. Not only will it result in increased cocoa bean production and better income for farmers, but it will also contribute to a more sustainable and environment-friendly production process. The resulting economy boosts and health benefits to the general public, in addition to a more resilient commodification sector of the Nigerian society, are just some of the reasons why planting of the TC1 to 8 hybrid variety is essential in Nigeria.
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