Governor Ademola Adeleke noted that his administration distributed 400,000 cocoa seedlings, as Osun State targets market leadership in Nigeria’s cocoa chain.
He noted that deepen agricultural expansion in Osun State, with a focus on cocoa, cashew, and oil palm production as part of efforts to diversify the state’s economy and strengthen its position in Nigeria’s agribusiness sector.
In a statement issued in Osogbo by his spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed, the governor said the state’s cocoa expansion programme has recorded significant progress, with 400,000 seedlings planted since 2023. The seedlings, distributed to farmers at subsidised rates, are part of a broader push to reposition Osun as a leading cocoa-producing state, ahead of rivals such as Ondo State and Cross River State.
Adeleke said the government would intensify efforts to scale up cocoa production, supported by investments in agro-processing infrastructure and initiatives aimed at strengthening the value chain.
The governor also highlighted gains in cashew cultivation, noting that 80,000 seedlings have been planted within the same period. He added that the state is working to increase annual output in order to meet rising local and international demand.
“I am also happy to announce that a total of 60,000 oil palm seedlings were planted within the same period,” he said, adding that the state is targeting the three crops as part of its agricultural diversification strategy.
“We want to be known as a hub not only for cocoa but also for cashew and oil palm,” Adeleke stated.
Beyond crop expansion, the administration has also invested in mechanisation to support farmers. The governor disclosed that 31 tractors have been procured and deployed across the state at subsidised rates, with plans to scale up to 117 units, although progress has been slowed by withheld local government allocations.
Despite the constraints, Adeleke said the tractors have significantly improved farming operations, revealing that 4,511 acres of farmland have been cultivated between 2025 and date, a marked improvement compared to previous levels of mechanisation.
He added that farmers across the state have continued to receive inputs regularly, describing his administration as “pro-farmer” in its approach to agricultural development.
The governor also commended the All Farmers’ Association in the state for endorsing his re-election, noting that the support reflects growing confidence in the administration’s agricultural policies.
