By Fatima Muraina

The Ondo State Government has provided training for cocoa farmers on fire prevention and safety measures, to safeguard the economic benefits of cocoa production in the state.

Addressing farmers during a sensitisation programme at the Oda Cocoa Farm Estate in Akure South Local Government Area, the Administrative Secretary of the Cocoa Revolution & Management Agency (COCOREV), Mr Anthony Oluwole Omolakin, emphasised the importance of adhering to fire safety protocols to prevent unnecessary outbreaks.

Omolakin noted that the training was crucial in preventing fire incidents that could threaten cocoa production, which remains a key revenue source for both the state and farmers.

“Given the international value of cocoa, now nearing ₦14 million per tonne, we must do everything to protect our cocoa plantations because every cocoa tree in the plantation matters to us,” he said.

He further stated that the government was determined to put an end to the recurring fire outbreaks that have plagued plantations annually since 2020. Farmers who fail to comply with safety measures, he warned, would be evicted from the Cocoa Estate.

Omolakin expressed gratitude to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and the Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Wemimo Akinsola, for their support in implementing the initiative.

A senior fire service officer, Mr Ologun Olanrewaju, who was a resource person at the event, urged farmers to avoid potential fire hazards, including negligence, deliberate actions, human errors, uncontrolled weeds, and natural causes such as lightning.

Highlighting the elements that sustain fire, oxygen, heat, and fuel, he advised farmers to take necessary precautions to mitigate risks.

Another fire officer, Mr Ijato Emmanuel, warned that plantations affected by fire may cease to bear fruit. He recommended fire tracing of at least four metres (12 feet) around the farms and encouraged youths to form surveillance groups to monitor the plantations.

He also stressed the need for quick mobilisation in the event of a fire, urging farmers to act swiftly to prevent further spread.

Furthermore, Emmanuel underscored the importance of agricultural insurance, advising farmers to insure their farms for adequate protection against losses.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director of Plantation at COCOREV, Mr Vincent Shaba, acknowledged the farmers’ commitment to sustaining the plantation’s legacy. However, he expressed disappointment over their reluctance to fully comply with fire prevention guidelines.

He emphasised that fire tracing had long been a standard practice within the Cocoa Board and should be prioritised by farmers.

He encouraged them to adopt the preventive measures introduced by COCOREV, to ensure the long-term sustainability of cocoa farming in the state.