By Ayodele Oni
Ondo State Government has released over N10 billion for agricultural development as part of efforts to enhance food security, attract private investment and strengthen agricultural value chains across the state.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, disclosed this during a press briefinv highlighting the administration’s achievements and ongoing interventions in the agricultural sector.
Adeniyan explained that the government’s agricultural strategy is anchored on large-scale investment, farmer support, value-chain development and measures aimed at boosting food production and reducing inflation.
According to him, the administration is opening up large expanses of farmland, attracting private-sector investors and constructing rural roads to facilitate the movement of farm produce from rural communities to markets.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa’s agricultural strategy focuses on large-scale investment, food security, value-chain development and farmer support.
“The administration is opening up large areas of farmland, attracting private investors, ensuring EU-compliant cocoa production for international markets and constructing rural roads to facilitate the movement of farm produce.”
He noted that immediate interventions, including grain distribution and programmes under the Ondo State Agribusiness and Commodity Association (OSACA), are helping to address food inflation while improving the welfare of farmers across the state.
Adeniyan stated that the administration’s investment drive has continued to attract investors to the agricultural sector, adding that over 500 young people have been trained and empowered in modern agricultural practices.
The governor’s spokesperson also highlighted efforts to strengthen the cocoa industry, describing the sector as a major pillar of the state’s agricultural development agenda.
He revealed that Governor Aiyedatiwa recently inaugurated the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Board to sustain the state’s position as Nigeria’s leading cocoa producer.
In addition, the State Strategic Committee on European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation Compliance has been inaugurated to ensure that cocoa produced in Ondo State meets international standards required for access to global markets.
Adeniyan disclosed that over 14,000 smallholder cocoa and oil palm farmers have been profiled under the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Global Environment Facility-7 programme across eight local government areas of the state.
Speaking on efforts to guarantee quality cocoa production, he said the government has intensified monitoring activities through relevant agencies and the Ministry of Agriculture.
“And for cocoa, yes, this is one area that this administration has taken a lot of work on.
“Like I said earlier, we have the government-suited cocoa regulation agency, and also we are monitoring. The Commissioner for Agriculture and members of the team from that ministry, you’ll see that once in a while they go into the farms and they seize bad contaminated cocoa or cocoa gotten through illegal means.
“That is to ensure that whatever cocoa that is being produced meets international market standards, and that is why that committee on EU regulation was constituted. So we’ll continue to ensure that cocoa being produced meets international market standards.”
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to sustaining reforms that will boost agricultural productivity, improve farmers’ incomes and position Ondo State as a leading destination for agribusiness investment.
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