January 18, 2022

Transitioning from cocoa to plantain farming

Fresh Produce

Nigeria

In Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria, cocoa has formed an important crop for farmers for decades. Ondo state is the largest cocoa-growing state in Nigeria and accounts for about 40% of the national production. A common saying among cocoa farmers in this region is that “Plantain is used to nurse cocoa up.” Therefore, more than 90% of cocoa farmers have planted plantain as a shade crop for their cocoa trees while at seedling stage. However, most of these farmers have not looked at the potential of producing plantain for commercial purposes.

Crystal Dominion Foods-a woman-led food processing company, in partnership with 2SCALE, aims to provide more market opportunities for smallholder plantain farmers in the South-Western states of Nigeria. The company also aims to double its current production capacity to produce and offer fortified, nutritious, locally sourced plantain chips. To achieve this, the partnership is working to enhance the production capacity of existing plantain farmers and encourage more farmers to venture into plantain production.

Stephen Osatuyi, a young cocoa farmer from Akure North local government has taken a bold step to convert some of his cocoa farms to plantain plantations. He has about 14 hectares of cocoa which were established before he was born. Having taken over the farm from his father due to old age, Stephen believed in following in his father’s footsteps. He says that he always believed no other crop has the potential to fetch money like cocoa. However, he is gradually transitioning to plantain farming thanks to engagements with Crystal Dominion and 2SCALE.

After taking part in a training on Plantain production organized by 2SCALE through the Centre for Inclusive Agriculture and Gender Development- CIA-GED, he decided to concentrate more on Plantain farming.

The training I received on plantain production through the 2SCALE project in 2020 opened my eyes to the various opportunities available in plantain farming. After the training and establishment of a demo plot in my cluster, I decided to designate part of my land to plantain production. Throughout 2021, I established 5 Ha of plantain plantation. I had to dig a well to serve as a water source to irrigate my plantain farm during the dry season. 2SCALE supported this by installing a solar pump to enable irrigation in the farm.

Narrates Stephen.

Having received trainings on good agricultural practices and postharvest management made a significant contribution to his maiden harvest. He made 250, 000 Naira ($603) which he says is above what he makes from cocoa in similar land size. In the coming seasons, this is bound to increase as the plantain trees will be well matured. He sold the produce to Crystal Dominion. This experience has led him to decide to plant more plantain as he explains:

I discovered that I could make more money from plantain than I currently make from cocoa. The first harvest was profitable and in the coming years, the plantain will be more productive, and I can fetch more money from it. Most of the cocoa trees are old and yield very little. I intend to cut them down and plant plantain on the 14 hectares within the next two years.

Dreaming big!

For Stephen, his vision goes beyond production. He is a member of an agricultural cooperative and they have already envisioned setting up a plantain flour company in the future. To achieve this, they must first ensure that they increase the quality and quantity of production.

Over 300 community members have visited my farm to learn about plantain farming. Most have already taken the initiative to set up plantain farms too. In our local cooperative, we intend to start a plantain flour company that will be duly registered and will sell its products both within and outside Nigeria.

Says Stephen.

By 2023, Crystal Dominion and 2SCALE aim to enable access to locally sourced, nutritious plantain-based products to at least 20,000 low-income consumers.

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