Ondo State Government says it will continue to create enabling environment and initiatives to ensure higher yields of cocoa and other cash crops, which will reduce its over-dependence on monthly allocation from the Federal Government.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Olayato Aribo spoke at the foundation laying ceremony of cocoa and plantain factory in Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore Local Government Area of the state
Available data show that 30 percent of cocoa being exported from Nigeria is processed locally.
This has over the years affected the price of cocoa, being exported outside the country.
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A group of farmers, led by the Cocoa and Plantain Farmers Association of Nigeria, hopes to change this narrative by constructing a processing plant in Ondo State’s Ilara-Mokin Ifedore Local Government Area.
The State government believes that this move will go a long way in encouraging citizens to develop more interest in agriculture.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Olayato Aribo said the state government is determined to help farmers tackle post-harvest challenges and provide them with enabling environment to thrive.
The National President of the association, Joseph Ojo stressed the need for government to invest more in agriculture and ensure that farmers have access to loans, farm inputs and friendly environment.
Other speakers at the event are of the view that the factory will assist farmers to do more and add value to their harvest.
Cocoa and Plantain Farmers Association of Nigeria have cultivated more than 284,000 hectares of cocoa and plantain farm in the six geopolitical zones of the country.
