By our Reporter
Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of Ondo State has said his administration is intensifying efforts to combat deforestation and reposition the state’s cocoa sector to meet emerging international standards on sustainable agricultural production and global market compliance.
The governor made this known on Tuesday during the opening of the 2nd FAO Participatory Informed Learning Approach Multi-Stakeholders Workshop organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations GEF-7 FOLUR-IP Nigeria Project in Akure.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed that the state government had inaugurated a State Strategic Committee on European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation compliance to align Ondo’s cocoa industry with global standards on deforestation-free cocoa production, agroforestry and restoration of degraded forests.
He also revealed that a forest management committee had been constituted to monitor forest activities and preserve the state’s forest resources.
According to the governor, the FAO GEF-7 Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Programme has continued to contribute significantly to sustainable agriculture and environmental protection in the state.
He explained that the project is being implemented in eight local government areas, including Akure South, Idanre, Ondo West, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Owo, Odigbo, Okitipupa and Irele.
Aiyedatiwa said about 14,000 smallholder cocoa and oil palm farmers had already been profiled under the pilot phase of the programme.
He commended the Food and Agriculture Organization for supporting efforts to transform cocoa and oil palm production systems in the Niger Delta towards sustainability and resilience.
The governor further noted that the state had received Geographic Information System equipment from the organisation for the establishment of a GIS laboratory in the state REDD+ Unit, adding that the facility had improved geospatial analysis and mapping for forest landscape management.
According to him, the project also supported the provision of agroforestry and timber seedlings to farmers and members of the Ondo State Timber Trade Organisation to aid restoration of degraded forest areas.
Aiyedatiwa added that agricultural extension officers and farmers had been trained on climate-smart agriculture, cocoa and oil palm production, agroforestry practices, polygon mapping for European Union Deforestation Regulation compliance, and integrated land management.
He stressed the need for stakeholders to embrace integrated landscape management and sustainable food systems capable of improving food security and livelihoods.
The governor assured that the state government would increase its co-financing support for the FAO GEF-7 project to ensure improved implementation across the state.
Earlier, the National Coordinator of FAO in Nigeria, Nifesimi Ogunkua, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to promote sustainable land use, agroforestry and improved access to international markets for cocoa and oil palm farmers in Ondo State.
She said the programme seeks to transform food systems through sustainable agriculture, reduction of deforestation and land degradation, ecosystem restoration, improved livelihoods and stronger environmental governance.
Ogunkua noted that Ondo occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s cocoa industry and could emerge as a model for sustainable and climate-resilient cocoa production if stronger land use planning and forest conservation are prioritised.
She warned that increased cocoa and oil palm production would amount to little if farmers could not access premium international markets through traceability and certification systems.
In his remarks, the Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, said the workshop focused on integrated landscape management, land use planning, governance frameworks, agroecological transition pathways and responsible certification standards.
He explained that the workshop was aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration and identifying practical solutions to support sustainable agriculture and environmental management in the state.
Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, local government chairmen and traditional rulers.
