The Ogun State Government has announced plans to establish Scheduled Agricultural Produce Reserves across the three senatorial districts. This initiative aims to provide legitimate and de-risked land for cash-crop farmers, particularly cocoa producers, as the state prepares for the 2026 main crop season. The government hopes to address forest encroachment while promoting sustainable agricultural production.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, disclosed this information at the Annual Cocoa Pre-Season and Stakeholders’ Forum. The forum, held in Abeokuta, had the theme: “Scheduled Agricultural Produce: Productivity, Quality, Traceability and Global Market Access”. Owotomo was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Lydia Fajohunbo.
As part of the initiative, the government has distributed thousands of high-yielding, disease-resistant cocoa seedlings across the 20 local government areas. Additionally, subsidized fertilizers, agro-chemicals, and mechanization support have been provided to farmers. The government also plans to procure motorcycles for the Department of Produce Services to improve field inspection and anti-smuggling operations.
Owotomo urged stakeholders to focus on traceability, quality grading, and zero-deforestation farming. He emphasized that the origin of cocoa has become increasingly important in the international market, particularly with the EU Deforestation Regulation deadline and the 8th International Cocoa Agreement. The commissioner commended farmers for maintaining the quality of Ogun cocoa, which retained its top international rating and attracted premium prices.
The Permanent Secretary, Mrs Fajohunbo, noted that the meeting was a wake-up call ahead of the 2026 main crop season. She stressed that quality, quantity, and traceability were critical to enabling Ogun’s scheduled produce to meet international market demands and attract higher premiums. Fajohunbo urged stakeholders to comply with quality standards, grading, and traceability requirements.
The Director, Produce Services, Mr Adedeji Somade, identified productivity, quality, traceability, and global market access as key priorities for the 2026 produce season. He highlighted challenges affecting operations, including severe understaffing, inadequate office accommodation, and insufficient logistics. Somade appealed for operational vehicles and motorcycles to improve field monitoring and combat produce smuggling.
The Annual Cocoa Pre-season programme featured free medical screening, a novelty match, and presentation of awards to deserving individuals and groups. The Ogun State Government’s efforts aim to move from producing cocoa beans to creating greater wealth through local value addition and direct access to the international market.
Key points
- Ogun State Government to establish Scheduled Agricultural Produce Reserves for cocoa farmers.
- Government distributes high-yielding, disease-resistant cocoa seedlings and provides subsidized fertilizers and agro-chemicals.
- Stakeholders urged to focus on traceability, quality grading, and zero-deforestation farming.
