creased rna rqi rally from 9. 3 per cent to 12.3 per cer.t. 41. Turni r:q new to the most recent tre r:<ls, cocoa production in developinq Afrlca increased by 0.8 per cent from 986,000 tcnnes in ·1980 to 994,000 tonr;es in 1981. Over the same pericd, the \.lholesale price ir:dex {1975 = 100) declined from 183.7 tc 146.8, and consequently total export earninqs declined fror.1 $2.0 uillicr: in 1980 to $1.& billion in 1981. 42. Production of cocoa i r:. the rna jor produci r'q countries has beer> very variable, dependinq particularly 011 the a:nount <' Jd dis­ tribution of rainfall, the use of fertilizers a1 :l insecticides and the prices paid to producers. 43. In the Ivory Coast, the major African proC,ucer c cocoa, productior; j ncreased f rem 401,000 tonnes in 19BO tc 408, c-;o ton- 43 E/ECA/Ci ~. 9/5 nes in 1981. Farmers there enjoy various incentives which are not available in the other African cocca-producinc ccur:tries. For insta r.ce, in addition tc raisinq producer prices frcm. time to time, the Gcvernme nt provides fu rds fer the re Pewal c·f pla rts a r:d assists in introduci nq hybric1 varieties. 44. Cocoa production in Niqeria rose sliqhtly from 155,000 tcn­ nes in 1980 tc 160, 000 tonnes in 1981, but vias still tar bel ow the 382,000-tcnne ar:rual averaqe attained in 1969-1971. The qeneral decli1~e in cocoa production in Niqeria is too \lell kna:,;r. to need additional emphasis. vHth the adver.t of the era of petroleum-led qravth, traditicr.al aqricultural exports such as cccca have been scrnevhat overlooKed. Of late, hC:Itlever, the Goverr;me r.t has era nted aaricul ture the status cf a "favoured sec­ tor". Year Ghara Table IV.A.ll Indexes of producer prices f cr cocoa (1970 = 100) Ivery Coast Niqeria U r:i ted Republic 
**Analysis**
This text appears to be discussing the production and trade of cocoa in several African countries, highlighting the changes in production levels, prices, and export earnings. It also touches on the factors affecting cocoa production, such as rainfall, fertilizers, and insecticides. The text seems to be focused on the economic aspects of cocoa production, rather than its environmental or social implications.

**Category**
Agriculture, forestry and fishing, International trade