Ondo targets 250,000 metric tonnes of cocoa annually
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Ondo State government has set a target of producing 250,000 metric tonnes of cocoa annually as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s economy and consolidate its position as Nigeria’s leading cocoa-producing state.
The target was disclosed by the Chairman of the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Board, Mr. Omolade Fabiyi, during a familiarisation visit by members of the newly constituted board to cocoa farmers and investors operating at the Oda Cocoa Farm.
Fabiyi said the calibre of professionals appointed to the board, coupled with the administration’s commitment to developing the sector, would enable the state to achieve the ambitious production target.
According to him, some states are making concerted efforts to overtake Ondo in cocoa production, making it imperative for the state to strengthen its entire cocoa value chain and improve productivity.
He said Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa constituted the board to oversee the cocoa sector comprehensively, from production and quality control to processing and value addition, with the objective of ensuring that Ondo State remains a major force in the Nigerian and international cocoa market.
“We will soon be producing 250,000 metric tons of cocoa annually because the calibre of board members and professionals working in the Cocoa Board would leave no stone unturned to achieve this target,” Fabiyi said.
The chairman assured farmers and investors that the government would provide the necessary support to increase production, improve the quality of cocoa beans and enable farmers and investors to access better prices in the international market.
Fabiyi also disclosed that plans were at an advanced stage to establish cocoa nurseries within the farm, noting that improved cocoa seedlings would be distributed to farmers free of charge.
He explained that the initiative was aimed at replacing ageing cocoa trees and revamping old plantations to improve productivity and ensure optimal yields.
The chairman urged farmers to regularly clear their plantations and maintain their farms properly, stressing that good farm management was essential to achieving higher yields.
He also directed that cocoa beans produced at the Oda Cocoa Farm must be properly graded before being transported to warehouses.
Addressing one of the investors, John-Vent, Fabiyi said the board would no longer permit ungraded cocoa beans to leave the farm, as part of measures to improve quality control and protect the reputation of Ondo cocoa.
He assured farmers that the board would address the challenges confronting them and urged all farmers and investors operating at the Oda Cocoa Estate to cooperate with the new management to maximise the potential of the facility.
Earlier, the Administrative Secretary of the board, Mr. Anthony Omolakin, disclosed that three investors were currently operating at the Oda Cocoa Farm: Blue World Farms, Uncle D Farms and John-Vent.
Omolakin formally introduced members of the board to farmers and investors, explaining that the board and its officials had been mandated to oversee activities across the cocoa value chain, including production, processing, value addition and quality control.
He called on stakeholders to cooperate with the board to achieve its mandate of strengthening Ondo State’s position as a major hub for cocoa production and trade in Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Chairman of the Farmers Association, Mr. Victor Ajisegiri, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for inaugurating the board to oversee the affairs of the cocoa sector.
Ajisegiri said the establishment of the board would provide farmers with a direct channel through which they could communicate their concerns and seek government intervention.
He recalled that farmers had faced several challenges in the past due to the absence of a dedicated board to address their complaints and coordinate activities within the sector.
He expressed optimism that the new board would provide the needed institutional support and give farmers renewed confidence to increase production.
