Author: Adewale Kupoluyi

In the heart of Nigeria’s cocoa belt, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Young professionals, once confined to city offices, are returning to their ancestral lands, drawn by the allure of cocoa farming. Dubbed the “cocoa boys”, these individuals are revitalising rural economies and redefining success through sustainable agriculture.The resurgence of cocoa farmingCocoa prices have experienced an unprecedented surge, climbing from approximately US$2,200 per metric ton in 2022 to nearly US$11,000 in the late 2024. This dramatic increase is attributed to decreased output in major producers like Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, coupled with rising global demand (Reuters, 2025).Nigeria, with its fertile…

The saying, “what a man can do, a woman can do better”, is particularly visible in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. Women farmers play a vital role in agricultural productivity, farming workforce, contributing immensely to food production, processing, household sustenance, rural economies, food security, and marketing. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations says women in developing countries contribute between 60% to 80% of food production activities.Across Nigeria, women are not just involved in farming – they are the backbone of agricultural productivity, especially at the smallholder level, active participants in nearly all phases of agriculture – from land…