Ondo govt begins crackdown on cocoa beans adulteration

The Ondo state government has begun a crackdown on the adulteration of cocoa beans in the state following the seizure in the Ireje community in the Ondo East Local Government Area of the state.

Permanent Secretary in the state ministry of agriculture and forestry, Segun Odusanya, disclosed this on Saturday in an interview with journalists after the arrest of a female suspect, alleged of supplying adulterants.

Odusanya lamented at how some ‘unscrupulous’ individuals were mixing dried cocoa with the placenta with cocoa beans to increase weight.

He described the action as sabotaging the nation’s economy and image at the international market, saying Ondo, being the highest cocoa producer in Nigeria, is severely impacted by the unwholesome practice.

“The alarming rate of produce adulteration, particularly in cocoa beans, is compromising quality, resulting in loss of premium value and attracting discounts on our goods in the global market. We will continue fighting this war against adulteration. Although it’s a significant challenge, we won’t relent until the state is free from this harmful practice,”  Odusanya said.

He, however, called on the people to join hands with governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s government to eradicate the menace, adding that the practice is detrimental to the state.

Director of Produce Licensing, Sunday Dosumu, explained that the female suspect, who is still being profiled, was caught by the task force team during a routine patrol of the axis.

Dosumu added “The suspect was found with bags of dried kolanut that have been cut into smaller pieces, which contains nicotine that compromises cocoa bean quality and bags of fresh and dried cocoa pods that have been cut into smaller parts.”