By Akanta Hannah
Authorities in Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State have introduced efforts to address illegal mining while also introducing measures to cushion the impact of a sharp drop in cocoa prices on local farmers.
Chairman of the Council, Mr. Moses Maihankali said the administration has begun a firm crackdown on unregulated mining, stressing that only properly licensed operators will be permitted to operate in the area.
Maihankali explained that a special enforcement committee has been set up in line with Executive Orders 3 and 5 issued by Taraba state Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas, adding that the move has already led to the arrest of several illegal miners.
“Mining activities must follow due process. For now, only one operator has met the requirements to operate legally here,” Maihankeli stated, warning that anyone found violating the rules will face strict sanctions.
According to him, the initiative is not just about enforcing regulations but also about ensuring that communities hosting mining activities benefit from legitimate operations.
Beyond the mining sector, the council is also dealing with the economic strain caused by falling cocoa prices, which has taken a toll on livelihoods in the largely agrarian area.
Kurmi, known as the leading cocoa-producing area in the northern sub-region, has witnessed a steep price drop from about 1 million naira per bag to roughly 500,000 naira largely due to increased global supply.
Maihankali linked the decline to improved cocoa production in countries like Ghana and Togo, which has reduced demand for cocoa from Kurmi Local Government Area.
The Chairman siad currently the council is pushing for agricultural diversification and building farmers’ capacity. He noted that with about 70 percent of the population dependent on farming, reducing reliance on cocoa has become necessary.
“We are encouraging farmers to branch into other viable crops such as rice, maize, palm oil, and groundnuts so they can stay economically resilient,” he said.
He also revealed that a 60-day training program, organised by Agro Forestry Impact and Regeneration in collaboration with the state government, is ongoing to equip cocoa farmers with modern farming techniques.
Maihankali reaffirmed the council’s commitment to policies that will boost the local economy, enhance agricultural productivity, and promote sustainable development across communities.
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