AGRICULTURE (COCOA FARMING)
STARTING A COCOAFARM
According to research, cocoa was introduced by the Portuguese into the Gulf of Guinea from where it got to Nigeria around the last quarter of the 19th Century. The introduced variety was the Amelonado. This variety later became unique to West Africa, hence the name “West African Amelonado“, for its significant chocolate flavor which remains a benchmark in the World Cocoa Industry till date.
STEP ONE : Get seed/seedlings
CRIN TC-1, CRIN TC-2, CRIN TC-3, CRIN TC-4, CRIN TC-5,CRIN TC-6, CRIN TC-7 and CRIN TC-8.
These eight hybrids have diverse genetic base; they are early bearing, high yielding with very low input, resistant to major pests and diseases of cocoa, highly adaptable to cocoa ecologies in WEST AFRICA.
STEP TWO: Choosing a site for cocoa farm (Farm land)
If a cocoa tree is to grow well, it needs more than anything else a soil must be of good structure, permeable and deep.
If the soil is of good structure and contains much humus, the roots penetrate well. You can improve the soil structure by spreading manure and working it into the soil. If the soil is deep, the roots can go down to a good depth.
Farmers are advised never to plant cocoa trees in soil with a lot of stones, or in soil where there is some hard layer.
STEP THREE: Planting
A cocoa farm can be inter cropped, with crops such as plantain, banana and other crops.
In such cases, depending on the inter-crop, a distance of 2.7 to 7 meters should be maintained. Clear the forest and plant the cocoa seeds at the beginning of raining season. Best period for planting cocoa is around April May when the raining reason is just picking up.
STEP FOUR: Pruning cocoa trees
The cocoa tree is a tree that develops well. Sometimes, during the first year, several shoots form on the trunk. Cut off these shoots and leave only the strongest. Sometimes, the crown forms too low down, at less than 1 metre above ground level.
Choose a shoot which grows straight up and let it develop. A new crown will then form at a good height, and the first crown will stop growing.
PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE MADE FROM COCOA
Many different sorts of products can be derived from cocoa.
The husks of cocoa pods and the pulp, or sweating, surrounding the beans and the cocoa bean shells can be used. Some examples of these uses are:
Animal feed from cocoa husk - As pelleted dry 100% cocoa pod husk, it can be used as an animal feed. The animal feed is produced by first slicing the fresh cocoa husks into small flakes and then partially drying the flakes, followed by mincing and pelleting and drying of the pellets.
Production of soft drinks and alcohol - In the preparation of soft drinks, fresh cocoa pulp juice (sweating) is collected, sterilized and bottled. For the production of alcoholic drinks, such as brandy, the fresh juice is boiled, cooled and fermented with yeast. After 4 days of fermentation the alcohol is distilled.
Potash from cocoa pod husk - Cocoa pod husk ash is used mainly for soft soap manufacture. It may also be used as fertilizer for cocoa, vegetables, and food crops. To prepare the ash, fresh husks are spread out in the open to dry for one to two weeks. The dried husks are then incinerated in an ashing kiln.
Jam and marmalade - Pectin for jam and marmalade is extracted from the sweating by precipitation with alcohol, followed by distillation and recycling of the alcohol in further extractions.
Mulch - Cocoa bean shells can be used an organic mulch and soil conditioner for the garden.
Once the beans have been fermented and dried, they can be processed to produce a variety of products. These products include:
Cocoa butter - Cocoa butter is used in the manufacture of chocolate. It is also widely used in cosmetic products such as moisturising creams and soaps.
Cocoa powder - Cocoa powder can be used as an ingredient in almost any foodstuff. For example, it is used in chocolate flavored drinks, chocolate flavored desserts such as ice cream and mousse, chocolate spreads and sauces, and cakes and biscuits.
Cocoa liquor - Cocoa liquor is used, with other ingredients, to produce chocolate. Chocolate is used as a product on its own or combined with other ingredients to form confectionery products.
COCOA farming should be considered in the right areas as it is lucrative and is of a vast economic value.