Ondo State Go ernor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday declared that his administration has intensified efforts to combat deforestation and reposition the state’s cocoa sector in line with emerging international standards on sustainable agricultural production and global market compliance.
He spoke 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.
The governor disclosed that the state government had inaugurated the 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 revealed that the government had also constituted a forest management committee to monitor forest activities and preserve the state’s forest resources.
According to him, the FAO GEF-7 Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Programme has continued to contribute significantly to sustainable agricultural practices and environmental protection in the state.
The governor said the project was being implemented across eight local government areas, Akure South, Idanre, Ondo West, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Owo, Odigbo, Okitipupa and Irele, adding that 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 of the United Nations for supporting efforts aimed at transforming cocoa and oil palm production systems in the Niger Delta towards sustainability and resilience.
The governor acknowledged the supply of Geographic Information System equipment to Ondo State for the establishment of a GIS Laboratory in the state REDD+ Unit, saying the facility had enhanced geospatial analysis and mapping activities for effective forest landscape management.
He added that the project had supported the provision of agroforestry and timber seedlings for farmers and members of the Ondo State Timber Trade Organisation to facilitate restoration of degraded forest sites.
According to him, the intervention also included training for agricultural extension officers and farmers on climate-smart agriculture, cocoa and oil palm production, agroforestry practices, polygon mapping for European Union Deforestation Regulation compliance, as well as sensitisation on integrated land management and customary land titling.
He stressed the need for stakeholders to embrace integrated landscape management and sustainable food systems capable of ensuring food security and improved livelihoods for farmers.
The governor assured that the state government would increase its co-financing support for the FAO GEF-7 project to guarantee improved performance and successful implementation across the state before formally declaring the workshop open.
Earlier, the National Coordinator of FAO in Nigeria, Dr Nifesmi 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.
Ogunkua explained that FAO remained responsible for the technical quality and overall delivery of the project while working with national institutions to ensure sustainable impacts.
She noted that the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria serves as the executive partner through the National Project Management Unit and State Implementation Unit under the global programme being implemented across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
According to her, the programme seeks to transform food systems through sustainable agriculture, reduction of deforestation and land degradation, ecosystem restoration, improved livelihoods and environmental governance.
She said Ondo State occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s cocoa landscape and could emerge as a leading model for sustainable and climate-resilient cocoa production if stronger land use planning, agroforestry systems, forest conservation and farmers’ access to fields 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.
Ogunkua commended the Ondo State Government for providing an enabling environment and disclosed that a GIS facility had been established in the state, describing the initiative as “Ondo State’s own project” with FAO providing technical oversight to ensure global standards.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, said the workshop focused on Integrated Landscape Management Plan, Integrated Land Use Plan, tenure and customary land titling, governance frameworks, agroecological transition pathways, responsible standards and certification, as well as spatial planning through participatory knowledge sharing.
He explained that the workshop was designed to strengthen stakeholders’ alignment, enhance institutional collaboration and identify practical measures to support sustainable land use, agricultural food systems and effective environmental management.
Akinola appreciated the organisers and acknowledged the presence of government officials, participants from ministries, departments and agencies, academic institutions, research institutes, traditional institutions, farmers’ groups, women groups, private sector players in cocoa and oil palm production, development partners and other dignitaries.
The commissioner commended the collaborative role of the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Federal Ministry of Environment, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, the National Project Management Unit and the State Project Implementation Unit for the successful take-off and coordination of the project in Ondo State since March 2024.
He further appreciated the National Project Management Unit for selecting Ondo State as the headquarters of the initiative.
He assured that the Ondo State Government would continue to strengthen partnership with the FAO GEF-7 project and other stakeholders to promote sustainable cocoa and oil palm value chains and create resilient systems for regeneration and conservation of degraded forest landscapes.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning who represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Stephen Aworere, also commended the FAO-GEF Nigeria project for promoting sustainable land use, integrated landscape management and value chains in cocoa and biofuel production.
Also speaking, the Chairman of ALGON in Ondo State, Gbenga Fasua, assured that the eight benefiting local governments would support, secure and sustain the project.
Among dignitaries at the event were the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; local government chairmen and traditional rulers.
