30 Hectares of Cocoa Farmlands Destroyed by Fire in Abia State

According to Drivetvnews reports, a fire outbreak has destroyed approximately 30 hectares of farmlands in Abia State, as confirmed by the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN).John Kalu, the zonal Chairman of CFAN, attributed the fires to farmers using controlled burns as a cost-effective method to clear land for the upcoming planting season, worsened by strong winds from the dry harmattan weather.The incident is anticipated to contribute to a decrease in output, further straining the global cocoa supply shortage, which has led to a significant increase in international prices, reaching a 40-year high over the past year.This surge in prices coincides with challenges faced by West African cocoa-growing regions due to extreme weather conditions.Nigeria’s cocoa exports earned approximately N42.24 billion in the third quarter of the previous year, with total earnings of around N157.77 billion in the first nine months of 2023, largely driven by heightened cocoa prices amidst the global supply shortfall.