Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has called for collective and innovative efforts to address the major challenges facing cocoa production in Nigeria.
According to the governor, areas of climate change, value chain inefficiencies, and poor succession planning should be looked into to tackle the issues.
Aiyedatiwa stated this while declaring open the two-day National Cocoa Stakeholders’ Workshop and Excellence Award Ceremony organised by the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN) in collaboration with Lutheran World Relief (LWR), held at The Dome in Akure, on Wednesday.
The event, themed “Deforestation-Free Cocoa Production and Improved Trade Practices Through Adoption of Sustainable National Traceability System: Key to Industry Growth and Development,” drew key players from across the cocoa value chain, including farmers, processors, and exporters.
While describing the theme as timely and relevant, the governor said, “As we convene to deliberate on this very apposite theme, we are reminded of Ondo State’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s cocoa production.”
He highlighted key challenges, including environmental degradation driven by climate change, inefficient market systems, ageing farms, and a lack of data for informed decision-making.
“Ondo State remains the leading cocoa-producing state in Nigeria, and we recognise the industry’s potential for economic growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.”
The governor, who outlined initiatives already being implemented by his administration to support the cocoa sector, stated the identified provisions were the free improved seedlings and fertilisers, training and capacity-building for farmers, better access to markets and finance, and a strong push for sustainable agricultural practices.
“To address these challenges, we must work together to develop innovative solutions, leverage technology, and promote sustainable practices. We cannot afford to be left behind in the global cocoa value chain,” he said.
“To all participants, I charge you to engage meaningfully, share knowledge and chart a path forward for sustainable cocoa production. Let us work together to address the challenges facing our industry, capitalise on emerging opportunities, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our cocoa industry.”
On his part, the National President of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria, M.O. Abolarinwa, hailed the state for playing a leadership role in cocoa production and described the workshop as a platform for aligning Nigeria’s cocoa sector with international best practices.
He stressed the importance of embracing the national traceability system to improve market access, especially in the face of new global requirements on deforestation and sustainable sourcing.
