Ondo Set To Reap From Cashew, Oil Palm Production

By Ayodele Oni

As efforts and investment in agribusiness are beginning to yield results, Ondo State is set to take the lead in cashew nut and oil palm production

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu expressed the hope that his administration’s investment on cash crops would help reduce the country’s dependent on oil.

Akeredolu spoke when he visited the Chocolate factory at Idanre which was recently acquired by Johnvents limited.

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture and Agribuisness, Pastor Akin Olotu, Governor Akeredolu said he was delighted at the transformation of the factory by its new owners.

He said the people would soon begin to feel the impact of the state’s investment in oil palm and cashew.

According to him: “We are doing perfectly well in Oil palm. In the next three years, Ondo State would be number one in oil palm in Nigeria. We have done that and we are not relenting in our efforts.

“We have cocoa farms. We have a single cocoa estate. Mr Governor has opened a new cocoa farm also for our Farmers for cocoa farming in clusters.

“It is an opportunity I believe our people would jump at. We will continue to give the support, not just that, we have given over 3 millions seedling of cocoa. That would be impactful.

“Somethings we have done, you might not be feeling the effects immediately, but in two or three years the story would change.

“Sustainability has come to stay, the structure, the business concept, the management, only a madman would work against what is going on here.”

Managing Director, Johnvents, Mr. Oloyede Olatunji, said chocolates from the factory was of international standard.

He appealed to the state government to create a more friendly environment for local and small businesses to thrive.

“Cashew would be given topmost attention starting From October this year. In Ondo State, we would have million seedlings of Cashew  that would be produced and planted.”