Adeleke markets Osun cocoa potentials, meets chocolate producers, stakeholders

Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke has urged investors to tap into the potentials of cocoa in the state, saying that his administration is already taking steps in addressing past challenges that stunted growth of the sector.

Addressing a global audience of investors in the cocoa sector in the United Kingdom, on Wednesday, the Governor noted that Osun brand of cocoa is highly sought after by end users providing investors with a guarantee of returns for their investments.

“Our cocoa is the traditional species which has the best taste in chocolate and other related products. Our brand is therefore much sought after by end users,” Governor Adeleke remarked.

“Our cocoa sector faces several challenges, several of which include the need to expand the production base, ensure entrance of young farmers, ease access to finance, deepen the value chain among others.

“It was in pursuance of the above that I launched the Osun Cocoa Revival Agenda in January this year.

The agenda focuses on assembling stakeholders to design an updated revival implementation plan; get the cocoa industry company in the state running again; put life back into the cocoa farming sub-sector through demonstration of political will; get more investors into the value chain through ease of doing business.

Others include setting up a domestic export terminal in Osun state to ease export process and access to international market; partnering with the Nigerian Railway Corporation for easy of transport; upgrading local infrastructures for farming community.