The price of cocoa in Taraba State has dramatically dropped from ₦900,000 to ₦300,000 per 100kg bag, leaving local farmers at a loss. According to Aaron Johnson, a cocoa farmer in MayoSelbe, Gashaka LGA, the farmers are unaware of the actual market value and depend heavily on middlemen to sell their produce.
Johnson explained that farmers had heard of the high prices a few months ago in Kurmi LGA, but when middlemen arrived, they informed farmers that the price had fallen to ₦300,000. With no other options, the farmers were forced to sell at the lower rate.
He also highlighted that Gashaka LGA has the capacity to produce large quantities of cocoa annually but faces challenges related to market access and incentives.
