Assessment of Farmer Practices and Productivity of Cocoa Farms in Cross River State

Cocoa is the dominant export tree crop in Cross River State, and documenting the range of farmer management practices and their association with farm productivity provides a baseline for improving the efficiency and sustainability of the state's cocoa sector. This study assessed the management practices and productivity of smallholder cocoa farms in Ikom, Obubra, and Etung LGAs of Cross River State, South South Nigeria. A descriptive survey was conducted among 90 cocoa farmers using structured questionnaires, supplemented by direct measurement of yield from 30 randomly selected farms. Management practices assessed included pruning frequency, shade management, fertiliser and pesticide use, and disease management. Results showed that mean cocoa dry bean yield was 412 kg per hectare, well below the national average target of 700 kg ha-1. Only 31.1 percent of farmers pruned annually as recommended. Fertiliser application was practised by 42.2 percent, with most using urea without micronutrient supplementation. Black pod disease (Phytophthora megakarya) was observed at high incidence (62 percent mean incidence) across all surveyed farms, with management depending solely on copper-based fungicide in 78.9 percent of farms. Shade tree density was excessive in 47.8 percent of farms, reducing light availability below the optimum. The study concludes that low productivity in Cross River cocoa farms is linked to inadequate management intensity. Recommendations include farmer training on cocoa GAP, subsidised fungicide and fertiliser access, and extension system revival for the cocoa belt.

Keywords: cocoa productivity, farmer practices, Cross River State, black pod disease, cocoa management