By Fatima Muraina

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO Nigeria) has begun a supervisory mission across project landscapes in Ondo State to assess the progress of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration Impact Programme project (FOLUR-IP) in the state.

The mission was led by FAO Climate Change/GEF Portfolio Specialist, Mrs Nifemi Ogunkua, who commenced her mission with a stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday,  August 13, 2024, at the Ministry of Agriculture Conference Hall, Akure.

The eight benefiting local government areas are Akure South, Idanre, Ondo West, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Owo, Odigbo, Okitipupa, and Irele.

Speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, FAO Climate Change Specialist, Mrs Nifemi Ogunkua, stated that the project is designed to transform the Niger Delta’s cocoa and palm oil production systems to promote sustainable cocoa and oil palm value chains.

The first component of the project focuses on Integrated Landscape Management (ILM), where smallholder farmers will be trained on sustainable land-use approaches and grouped into clusters, an activity which she confirmed is well underway.

“The second component, mainly on sustainable cocoa and oil palm, is to support smallholder farmers to ensure an increase in production while promoting ecosystem health within the landscapes they operate.”

“The third component will support smallholder farmers as well as protect areas, to restore forest areas that have been depleted for ecosystem benefits.”

The last component of the project concerns communication, advocacy, knowledge management, and monitoring and evaluation.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Tunde-Daramola, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to providing the necessary support for the success of the project in the state.

Also, the Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Environment, Dr Adeyemi Olayemi, assured FAO Nigeria of the continued support and commitment of the state to the GEF project.

In his remarks, the Administrative Secretary of Cocoa Revolution, Mr Omolakin Anthony, appreciated FAO for extending the programme to Ondo State. He mentioned that significant efforts have been made in various activities leading up to the implementation stage.