Aiyedatiwa Moves to Secure Ondo’s Cocoa Future in Global Market

AKURE – In a strategic move to protect Ondo State’s status as Nigeria’s cocoa powerhouse, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has vowed to enforce strict anti-deforestation measures to meet emerging international trade standards.

​The Governor made this declaration on Tuesday during the 2nd FAO Participatory Informed Learning Approach Multi-Stakeholders Workshop in Akure. The initiative, backed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF-7), aims to transition the state’s agriculture into a sustainable, “deforestation-free” model.

​Meeting Global Standards

​The push comes at a critical time as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)—set to impact global trade significantly by late 2026—requires strict traceability. Aiyedatiwa revealed that the state has inaugurated a Strategic Committee on EUDR Compliance to ensure Ondo’s cocoa and oil palm industries are not locked out of the premium European markets.

​”Our administration is committed to repositioning Ondo’s cocoa sector,” the Governor stated. “We are aligning with global standards on deforestation-free production, agroforestry, and the restoration of our degraded forest reserves.”

​To bolster this, a new forest management committee has been tasked with monitoring timber activities and preserving resources across the state’s landscape.

​14,000 Farmers Profiled

​The FAO-backed FOLUR-IP project is already yielding tangible results. Governor Aiyedatiwa disclosed that approximately 14,000 smallholder cocoa and oil palm farmers have been profiled under the pilot phase. These farmers, spread across eight local government areas—including Idanre, Owo, and Okitipupa—are being mapped to ensure their produce meets international traceability certifications.

​The state has also established a high-tech Geographic Information System (GIS) Laboratory within the state REDD+ Unit. Provided by the FAO, this facility allows for precise polygon mapping of farms, a mandatory requirement for proving that crops were not grown on land deforested after 2020.

​A Model for Resilience

​National Coordinator of FAO in Nigeria, Dr. Nifesmi Ogunkua, emphasized that Ondo State is positioned to be a “leading model” for climate-resilient agriculture in Africa. However, she warned that increased production would be futile without market access.

​”Traceability and certification are the keys to the premium international market,” Ogunkua noted. “FAO is providing the technical oversight to ensure Ondo State’s food systems are transformed through sustainable land use and ecosystem restoration.”

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​The Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, added that the workshop serves as a roadmap for integrated land use planning, ensuring that as the state expands its agricultural footprint, it does so without compromising its environmental integrity.

​The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Adelami and traditional rulers, signaling a unified front in the state’s bid to dominate the global cocoa export market.