By Emmanuel Oluwadola
|
Among other food and health benefits of cocoa, the cocoa beans processed into a brown powder are used to make chocolates and also add chocolate flavour to food and drink.
Botanists believe that cocoa, also known as Theobroma Cacao originated from the headwaters of the Amazon River. Today, cocoa plantations have spread abroad. Research also revealed that 70 percent of world cocoa production comes from West Africa.
Nigeria, rated among the largest cocoa-producing countries in Africa, also has Ondo State as the largest producer of cocoa in the country. According to ONDIPA, Ondo state is responsible for over 40 percent of all cocoa exports in the country. The current cocoa production volume of the state stands at 240,000 metric tonnes per annum with plans of significantly increase the volume in coming years.
The current Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration in the State said that it saw the value chain of cocoa over petroleum, as one of the reasons which triggered the government to revive and renovate the comatoee chocolate factory now known as Johnvents Food in Alade, Idanre.
The chocolate factory which was inaugurated on September 21, 2020 by the Olusegun Mimiko’ s administration had the mandate to produce 2.8 million tons of chocolate per annum. Moreover, the current administration is expanding the scope by constructing additional factories.
According to the Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on Agriculture, Pastor Akin Olotu, the chocolate factory is a plus to the State. He stressed that processing cocoa locally in the state would be promoted against the export and import trade.
“The chocolate factory started as a Cocoa Project several years ago under same administration. The hallmark and philosophy of the current government is that; you do not abandon whatever is good. Mr. Governor said we have to bring this project back to life after we went back to the United States-based consultant in charge. There was no good structure or organisation to roll out chocolate from this factory before.
“However, nine organisations came together to evaluate what we have and we got Johnvents as the most suitable. Before now, all that we had here was just this factory building. But today, chocolate production has commenced again as more factories and structures are added,” he said.
Olotu further said the state government carried out its investigation before ceding the facilities to Johnvents, adding that the company has the technical and financial muscle to drive the cocoa value chain business in the state.
“Looking at the massive construction work going on here, I think it is a plus to Johnvents, to Governor Akeredolu, the people of Idanre and the entire state. The complaint all the years is that we don’t add value to cocoa and that we only produce and export raw beans. But in this regard, the narrative has changed.”
In a bid to lessen the continual importation of cocoa products, the state government through Johnvents Food now locally produce chocolates by employing the indigenous people which will add value to Idanre, the host community.
“The farmers and producers are indigenes. You cannot process crude oil in the petroleum sector without bringing in experts. We are producing locally using our indigenous people and adding value to what we are producing, pushing it to the world. We believe that cocoa has an inclusive potential far beyond that of crude oil.
“Continuously, as the scale of productions keeps on increasing and the market gains, more people will be engaged. Nigeria will earn more dollars and the naira will be strengthened because we will have products to give to the global market,” said Mr Olotu, the SSA to the state government on agriculture.
Also, the former acting Secretary of Cocoa Revolution, Mr Toba Adenowuro, one of the team members who started the project said the current improvement will create more job opportunities in the state and country at large. He said, “Now we still have about 100 people working in the factory and meanwhile, the major parts of the factory are under construction. Soon, we will have more Nigerians working here.”
Representing the Managing Director of Johnvents Food, Mrs Febisara Hassan, the research and development Team Leader, Mr Oloyede Olatunji affirmed that the raw materials, especially cocoa are sourced locally to promote local processing in the state.
“Chocolate production has picked up again. In addition to chocolate production, we now have canned chocolates, 3in1 beverages, and some other products we are producing right here in Idanre. The renovation is extending the existing building and other constructions ongoing. The cafeteria and staff clinic are in place already,” Olatunji narrated.
Speaking with The Hope, one of the factory staff, Mr David confirmed that the Johnvents chocolate products are now spreading into the market in the state, trying to extend across the country.
To also counter some claims that the chocolate factory was for sale, the SSA on Agriculture confirmed that the factory has started working and will be sustained. He said the vision is transgenerational.
“It is sustainability that made us invest in it in the first place. The factory has come to stay– the structure, the business concept, the management, whatever you can think of. And no right-thinking man will work against what is going on here even at the end of this present administration,” he stated.
Mr Olotu, however, added that other cocoa industries in the state should not relent, but continue to plan for the future, pledging the government’s support for the industry and other areas the state government is looking out for to privatise.
