Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), has challenged the National Task Force (NTF), states, the federal government and stakeholders in the cocoa value chain to intensify efforts in flushing out fake and adulterated agro-chemicals from the market to increase the production of cocoa in the country.

CFAN national president, Mr Adeola Adegoke, challenged the taskforce during the 3rd National Festival which was rounded off at the weekend in Calabar.

Speaking on the theme, "Roles of National Cocoa Management Committee and others in Mobilising Stakeholders into European Union Regulations", Adegoke stated that if something was not urgently done to by stakeholders in the industry to push brisk business tycoons flooding the industry with fake and adulterated agro-chemicals, genuine investors in the value chain might end up being forced out of business.

A communique issued at the end of the end of the festival called on all hands to be on deck to make a strong and virile industry where those in the value chain could invest their money and make some profit or break even.

The communique was signed by Mr Kazeem Sanni of Rainforest Alliance and the Cross River State director for Cocoa, Mr Williams Ifere, and 9 others in the communique drafting committee.

They also urged government at all levels to increase support to research institutes as well as increase adoption of climate smart agricultural practices by farmers.

CFAN called for a review of policies that would encourage the expansion of farms for increased production.