The Ondo State Government says it is intensifying efforts to combat deforestation and align cocoa production with international sustainability requirements as global demand grows for traceable, environmentally compliant agricultural products.

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa made the announcement during the opening of the second FAO Participatory Informed Learning Approach Multi-Stakeholders Workshop held in Akure.

The workshop was organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations under the GEF-7 FOLUR-IP Nigeria Project.

Aiyedatiwa said the state had inaugurated a Strategic Committee on European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation compliance to help cocoa farmers meet emerging global standards on sustainable production.

He added that a separate forest management committee had also been created to monitor activities in forest reserves and prevent environmental degradation.

“The project has continued to contribute significantly to sustainable agricultural practices and environmental protection in the state,” the governor said.

Why the reforms matter

The European Union’s deforestation-free regulation is expected to reshape global agricultural trade, especially for cocoa-producing regions across Africa.

Exporters will increasingly need to prove that cocoa products are not linked to deforestation or illegal land use before accessing premium international markets.

Ondo State is one of Nigeria’s leading cocoa-producing regions, making the reforms potentially significant for farmers, exporters and investors.

According to the governor, about 14,000 smallholder cocoa and oil palm farmers across eight local government areas have already been profiled under the pilot phase of the programme.

The benefiting councils include Akure South, Idanre, Ondo West, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Owo, Odigbo, Okitipupa and Irele.

The state government also disclosed that Geographic Information System (GIS) equipment supplied under the programme has helped improve geospatial mapping and forest landscape management.

Officials say farmers are receiving agroforestry seedlings and training on climate-smart agriculture, land mapping and sustainability compliance.

FAO warns access to global markets depends on traceability

The National Coordinator of FAO in Nigeria, Dr Nifesmi Ogunkua, said stronger collaboration would be needed to help farmers gain access to premium export markets.

She warned that increasing cocoa production alone would not guarantee economic benefits if traceability and certification systems were weak.

“Increased cocoa and oil palm production would amount to little if farmers could not access premium international markets through traceability and certification systems,” she said.

Ogunkua described Ondo as strategically important in Nigeria’s cocoa economy and said the state could become a national model for climate-resilient cocoa production.

She also disclosed that the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria is serving as an executive partner under the wider international programme being implemented across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Experts say sustainability is becoming an export requirement

Agriculture and trade analysts say international buyers are increasingly prioritising sustainably sourced cocoa as consumers demand ethical supply chains.

Industry observers note that countries failing to meet environmental compliance standards risk losing access to lucrative European markets.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Leye Akinola, said the workshop focused on integrated land use planning, governance systems, agroecological transition pathways and responsible certification standards.

He said the programme was designed to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, researchers, farmers, private sector operators and development partners.

Local governments pledge support

The Chairman of ALGON in Ondo State, Gbenga Fasua, assured stakeholders that participating local governments would help protect and sustain the initiative.

Other dignitaries present included Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami, Chief of Staff Segun Omojuwa, traditional rulers and local government chairmen.

What’s next for Ondo’s cocoa industry?

The Ondo State Government says it plans to increase co-financing support for the FAO-backed initiative to expand implementation across the state.

Analysts say the success of the programme could influence how other cocoa-producing states in Nigeria respond to tightening global environmental regulations.

If fully implemented, the reforms may improve export competitiveness, attract sustainable agriculture investment and strengthen farmers’ access to international buyers.

Nigeria is turning to artificial intelligence (AI) as a potential solution to its worsening food security crisis, as experts warn that traditional farming interventions may no longer be enough.

With a population of more than 220 million people and rising faster than agricultural output, the country is under pressure to increase food production while reducing losses and costs.

Food inflation has already pushed basic staples beyond the reach of many households, while heavy reliance on imports continues to strain foreign exchange reserves.

Despite vast arable land, Nigeria’s agricultural productivity remains relatively low.

Why it matters

Agriculture is a major employer in Nigeria, yet inefficiencies across the value chain, from planting decisions to market access continue to limit output.

Experts say up to 40% of food produced in Nigeria is lost between harvest and market due to poor storage, logistics, and distribution systems.

Farmers also struggle with limited access to reliable data, often relying on traditional knowledge instead of real-time insights.

The inefficiencies holding farmers back

Analysts point to several structural challenges affecting Nigerian agriculture:

Poor decision-making due to lack of data on soil, weather, and crop suitability

Significant post-harvest losses caused by weak infrastructure

Limited access to markets, leading to oversupply in some areas and shortages in others

Inefficient use of resources such as water, fertiliser, and labour

These issues, experts say, combine to reduce yields and increase food prices nationwide.

How AI could change the equation

Artificial intelligence systems are increasingly being explored as a way to tackle these long-standing problems.

AI tools can analyse soil conditions, weather patterns, and historical yield data to provide farmers with precise recommendations on when to plant, what to grow, and how to optimise output.

They can also improve supply chains by predicting demand, coordinating logistics, and reducing spoilage.

In addition, AI-powered platforms can connect farmers directly to buyers, helping them access new markets and better prices.

Industry perspective

Grace AI Lab, one of the companies working in this space, says it is developing autonomous AI systems to support agricultural productivity.

Divine Matthew, Founder of Grace AI Lab, said:

“Nigeria needs more food. Maximising agricultural output through intelligent systems is both a business opportunity and a national priority.”

The company says its AI systems are designed not just to provide advice, but to actively coordinate farming operations towards specific productivity goals.

Expert and public outlook

Agriculture analysts caution that while AI offers promise, it is not a standalone solution.

They stress that infrastructure development, policy reforms, and farmer education remain critical to improving food systems.

However, AI could act as a “force multiplier” helping farmers make better decisions and ensuring that investments in agriculture deliver greater returns.

What’s next

As Nigerian tech firms expand into agritech, the key question remains whether adoption can happen quickly enough to match the country’s growing food demand.

Stakeholders say collaboration between government, private sector players, and farmers will be essential to scale these innovations.

For many, the future of farming in Nigeria may depend not just on more equipment but on smarter systems powered by data.

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Ondo State has declassified 15 hectares of land for large-scale cultivation of oil palm, cashew and cocoa, as Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa launched the Noreta Farms plantation at Owena-Idanre, along the Akure–Ondo Road.

The project, described as a technology-driven, closed-environment farming initiative, is expected to boost agricultural investment and create jobs across the state.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the decision to release the land was part of a deliberate strategy to modernise agriculture and attract private capital.

“This initiative is designed to transform agriculture from a subsistence activity into a viable, export-oriented, wealth-creating sector,” he said.

“It will create jobs, empower youths, and strengthen Ondo State’s economy.”

The governor described the ceremony as more than a symbolic event, saying it represented “planting trust, sowing innovation and laying the foundation for the prosperity of Ondo State’s people”.

A push for private investment

Governor Aiyedatiwa said the declassification of farmland aligns with his administration’s OUR EASE policy, which focuses on easing business operations, improving infrastructure and guaranteeing security.

“Projects like Noreta Farms demonstrate how technology-driven agriculture can generate employment, develop skills, and deliver sustainable economic value for our people,” he said.

He added that the state had strengthened its security architecture through intelligence-led operations and cooperation with local communities.

“These efforts are deliberate, sustained, and yielding results, because investment flows where safety is assured and confidence is guaranteed,” he said.

Climate-smart farming and value addition

The governor said Ondo State’s agricultural strategy prioritises value addition, innovation and climate-smart practices.

“We are promoting agriculture as innovation, enterprise, and industry. When policy, technology, and private capital converge, development becomes inevitable,” he said.

He noted that under the state’s Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) programme, Ondo has become a major supplier of tomatoes to Lagos State.

According to him, investors including JB, Saudit Farms, Tropic, SAO Farms, Bambi Palms, ACME Farms and Bola Oil are already engaged in oil palm production on declassified lands, contributing to job creation and reduced unemployment.

Inside the Noreta Farms project

The Noreta Farms plantation is expected to operate as a commercial-scale precision greenhouse farm, offering employment, skills transfer and access to new markets for young people.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said the project aligns with his administration’s goals of economic diversification, food security and export-oriented agriculture.

He urged more investors to take advantage of the opportunities created by the state government.

Industry reaction

A member of Noreta Farms’ Board of Directors, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said the company chose Ondo State after assessing government support, security and the business climate across the south-west.

“Noreta Farms is leading innovation in farming today in Nigeria and it is our desire to see that this company contributes towards food security and development in the country,” he said.

He described the state government’s support as critical to the project’s success.

“This project will bring development for our people. It will create employment opportunities and stimulate growth in the state,” he said.

Olajengbesi added that the first phase of the project would cover 15,000 hectares under Precision Green Farming, also known as closed-environment farming in the United Kingdom.

He said Noreta Farms ultimately aims to become the largest market farm in West Africa, with backing from the Ondo State government.

Expert perspective

A consultant on the project, Samuel Bagnor, thanked the governor for trusting the company and appointing it as the technological partner.

He said the project reflects growing confidence in technology-driven agriculture as a solution to Nigeria’s food security challenges.

What’s next

State officials say more agribusiness projects are expected as Ondo continues to open land for controlled farming, with a focus on exports, youth employment and sustainable production.

Who was there

The event was attended by senior government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Fasoranti, the Chief of Staff, Segun Omojuwa, Agriculture Commissioner Leye Akinola, Police Commissioner Adebowale Lawal, and other top officials.