The paramount ruler in Ganye, Alhaji Umaru Sanda, has expressed concern over lack of market outlet for cocoa farmers in his area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adamawa State is one of the Cocoa producing states in the country.

NAN also reports that the federal government's cocoa farm project is located in Toungo Local Government area of the state, but had been abandoned for several years.

Sanda, in an interview with NAN on Saturday in Ganye town, said that the situation had affected the fortunes of farmers, resulting in a decline in the production of the commodity in the area.

He said that the farmers had complained to him about the loss being incurred by them as a result of lack of market outlet.

According to him, cocoa is being produced in Ganye Chiefdom, comprising of Ganye, Toungo and Jada Local Government areas of the state.

He recalled that under the Federal Government's National Cocoa Production programme, a project centre was established in Toungo and farmers were given cocoa seedlings for production.

“Some years back, our farmers were given cocoa seedlings and they produced the commodity in commercial quantity.

“But due to poor market outlet, majority of them have been forced to abandon cocoa farming.

“I am therefore calling on the appropriate authorities, to find lasting solution to encourage Cocoa farmers in the state produce more.”

He emphasized that with the global oil market in turmoil and the subsequent fall in revenue earnings from oil, there was need for government fall back to agriculture. (NAN)

•Photo shows Cocoa Trees