Ondo to revive coffee production as Aiyedatiwa launches 1,000-hectare project
By Boye Oyeyemi –
The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has inaugurated a 1,000-hectare coffee plantation project aimed at reviving large-scale coffee production and enhancing export opportunities in the state.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Leye Akinola, flagged off the project during a two-day training and sensitisation programme on coffee production held in Akure.
Aiyedatiwa said the initiative was designed to restore Ondo’s status as one of Nigeria’s major producers of premium Robusta coffee and create employment opportunities for residents.
He said, “Years of neglect and inconsistent policies affected coffee production in the state, but we are determined to reverse the trend and reposition Ondo in the global coffee market”.
The governor noted that the project would engage over 2,000 farmers directly, while additional jobs would be created in processing, packaging, transportation and exportation.
He added, “Coffee farming offers enormous economic potential. With the global coffee industry valued at billions of dollars, Ondo State cannot afford to remain on the sidelines”.
Aiyedatiwa also assured farmers and investors of government support through land provision, technical assistance, road infrastructure and guaranteed market access in partnership with Lingzhi Global Nigeria Limited.
Earlier, the Head of Publicity and Media Relations of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Sola Omoboyowa, said stakeholders at the event expressed confidence that the initiative would transform Ondo into a leading coffee-producing hub in Nigeria.
