17/10/2026
THE COCOA ERA OF THE OLD WESTERN REGION: WHAT NIGERIA MUST DO NOW
PART 2: FROM HISTORICAL LESSONS TO AGRICULTURAL PROSPERITY
Nigeria has the land, farmers, and agricultural potential to build a stronger economy. The challenge is turning that potential into profitable businesses, employment, and national development.
Here are five practical priorities aligned with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
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1. MAKE FARMING PROFITABLE
Improve farmers' access to finance, reliable buyers, affordable inputs, and fair market opportunities.
2. PROCESS MORE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
Invest in cocoa, cassava, cashew, and oil palm processing to create jobs, strengthen local industries, and increase the value of Nigerian exports.
3. MODERNISE AGRICULTURE
Promote improved seedlings, mechanisation, irrigation, research, and practical training to increase productivity.
4. INVEST IN RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Better roads, electricity, storage, and transportation can reduce losses and connect farmers to larger markets.
5. ENCOURAGE YOUTH PARTICIPATION
Make agriculture attractive to young people through skills development, technology, access to finance, and viable agribusiness opportunities.
THE RENEWED HOPE CONNECTION
The Renewed Hope Agenda's agricultural objectives offer an opportunity to strengthen food security, diversify the economy, expand agribusiness, and create employment.
However, progress should be measured by tangible outcomes: higher farmer incomes, stronger local processing industries, reduced post-harvest losses, and more sustainable agricultural businesses.
The cocoa era of the old Western Region reminds us that agriculture can contribute to development when production, investment, and public policy work together.
Nigeria does not need to repeat the past. It needs to learn from it and build a more productive agricultural future.
Fadak Farms Venture — Agriculture Is Not Just About Growing Crops; It Is About Creating Wealth, Jobs, and National Development.