A section of farmers in Arua City has welcomed the Arua cocoa farming initiative aimed at adopting cocoa as their primary cash crop. This Arua cocoa farming initiative seeks to boost household income while transforming agricultural practices in the region. Currently, farmers in the area lack marketable cash crops and depend mainly on food crops grown on a subsistence scale.
The introduction of cocoa aims to shift farmers’ mindset toward commercial farming. This represents a significant departure from traditional subsistence practices. Cocoa is highly valued and marketable worldwide, making it an attractive alternative for local farmers seeking economic improvement through the Arua cocoa farming initiative.
Mr Dante Ovua, a resident of Yivu Ward, Ayivu West Division, has already adopted cocoa cultivation. He stated that he cleared one acre of his land for cocoa farming following training sessions. “Through some training, I have learnt that there is a ready market for cocoa and it can be harvested for the whole year,” he told reporters. “It is a marketable crop once well managed; one can earn good money from it compared to other cash crops like tobacco.”
Some farmers were traditional tobacco growers. However, poor payment rates and anti-tobacco campaigns prompted them to switch to cocoa cultivation. This shift demonstrates the practical benefits of the Arua cocoa farming initiative in providing viable alternatives for agricultural communities.
Mr Moses Draji, a resident of Ewazoku Cell, Ayivu Division, highlighted additional advantages. “This crop uses organic manure, which our people can make in their homes,” he explained. “One can also use organic pesticides, and we have the land. This is the right crop which will drive poverty out of our homes.” He encouraged locals to embrace cocoa farming, noting its success in other parts of the country with less land availability.
Ms Veronica Zako, a resident of Nyiovura in Ayivu East Division, shared similar enthusiasm. “We have already prepared the land and dug the holes in our two-acre land,” she said. “All we are waiting for are the seedlings because we have already received enough sensitisation about growing and taking care of the crop.”
Mr Ephraim Sunday Candia, a resident of Adalafu Cell, transitioned from coffee farming to cocoa. “I was a coffee farmer for a long time, but for some time, when the prices started dropping, I lost interest and instead started planting cocoa,” he stated. “It is a crop that will transform us because the market is available.”
A former Member of Parliament for Ayivu Constituency, Mr Bernard Atiku, now promotes the Arua cocoa farming initiative. He listed several benefits of cocoa cultivation, particularly regarding West Nile’s tobacco zoning policies. “We have intentionally decided to undertake this strategic promotion of cocoa as a perennial crop in our sub-region because West Nile has been ring-fenced to produce plantation crops like cotton and tobacco, which require a lot of land and are labour-intensive,” he explained.
Mr Atiku emphasized environmental benefits of the Arua cocoa farming initiative. He noted that tobacco contributes to environmental degradation and soil fertility loss due to its acidic nature. “We are hopeful that the shift in cocoa will enable farmers to earn more money,” he said. “It is less labour-intensive and farmers should follow the right procedures of growing the crop.”
The Arua cocoa farming initiative has already trained close to 2,000 farmers in Ayivu West Division. These farmers received technical knowledge on cocoa care and management. Additionally, nursery beds will be established in each ward to support continued expansion of the program.
Cocoa is a perennial crop that responds well in rainy tropical areas. It thrives with maximum annual temperatures of 30–32ºC and requires annual rainfall between 1,500mm and 2,000mm. Mr Mike Atama Drajole, an expert in cocoa agronomy, confirmed that Arua’s climate is conducive for growing the crop.
“The temperature is approximately 23.0 °C or 73.3 °F, as determined by statistical analysis,” Mr Drajole explained. “Each year, there is an approximate 919 mm or 36.2 inches of precipitation that occurs.” He added that soil samples from West Nile revealed nutrient-rich conditions suitable for cocoa and coffee cultivation.
Evidence of success exists in Koboko, Maracha, and Adjumani districts where cocoa cultivation is already yielding results. However, Mr Drajole appealed to the government for support. “The government should have a say in the pricing and marketing of cocoa, and do more research on the crop,” he stated. “We need to profile cocoa by variety.” He emphasized that quality seedlings and extension services are essential for the Arua cocoa farming initiative to succeed.
According to the National Agricultural Advisory Services (Naads), cocoa ranks among high-value export commodities. It offers great economic opportunities for increasing farmers’ incomes and foreign exchange earnings. Since the 2013/2014 financial year, Naads has distributed more than 20 million cocoa seedlings. This distribution contributed to increased cocoa production by 9 percent.
Meridian Tobacco Company, operating in West Nile, cooperates with 10,000 farmers according to 2023 statistics. However, 2024 figures from Arua District’s production department indicate about 600 farmers actively engage in cocoa growing. This number continues growing, particularly in Arua City and Arua District. Many of these farmers previously grew tobacco before shifting to cocoa through the Arua cocoa farming initiative.
The Arua cocoa farming initiative represents a significant step toward agricultural transformation and rural development. By providing farmers with marketable alternatives to traditional crops, this program offers sustainable pathways out of poverty while promoting environmental sustainability and economic growth.
