The Ondo State Government has expressed its readiness to establish more cocoa processing industries to facilitate the development of cocoa processing zones across the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Pastor Adebola Ademuwagun, disclosed this at a meeting held at the Federal Secretariat complex, Igbatoro, Akure.
Ademuwagun reiterated the state government’s readiness to partner with investors willing to establish cocoa processing industries, assuring them of an enabling environment.
Also, Engr. Akinola said that cocoa production has proven to be a dependable and reliable base of the nation’s economy, and the pathway to economic recovery has now begun.
The Agriculture Commissioner said, “This workshop has opened our eyes to the fact that there are many by-products, not just chocolate, derived from cocoa. There are several by-products to which we can add value, thereby increasing farmers’ income and creating more employment.
“Ondo agro-processing initiatives will commence very soon, and, by the grace of God, some foreign companies and partners have shown interest in investing in chocolate production.
At the investment forum, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Professor Nnaye Lugo Nwoso, represented by Edith Obi, emphasised that value addition remains critical to economic growth.
She noted that processing raw cocoa locally would boost revenue, create jobs and enhance industrial development.
“There are raw materials all over Nigeria, both agro and mineral resources. So we advised that each state should focus on its area of comparative advantage. For example, Ondo State has cocoa in abundance, which is why it organised this investors’ forum on raw cocoa.”
In her speech, the state Coordinator of RMDRC, Folashade Tejumola, said, “We are trying to sensitise our farmers and investors that we should not export cocoa in its raw form.
“We should process and improve it to a certain stage. By doing this, there will be more job opportunities, and the economy will benefit financially.”
The forum is expected to serve as a catalyst for increased investment in cocoa processing, as stakeholders continue to advocate a shift from raw material exports to value-driven production in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.