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ONDO VOWS TO SUSTAIN FIGHT AGAINST ADULTERATION IN COCOA INDUSTRY
…As Permanent Secretary, Agriculture Ministry, Chief Segun Odusanya-led delegation destroys adulterated beans at Omiluri
The Ondo State Government on Thursday destroyed bags of adulterants used to adulterate cocoa beans, seized from a merchant in Omiluri, Ondo West Local Government Area.
During the destruction, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Forestry/Produce Sub-section), Chief Segun Odusanya, emphasized that the destruction was necessary to prevent the adulterants from re-entering the system.
According to Sola Omoboyowa,
Head, Media and Public Relations, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Chief Odusanya said the destruction was part of the government’s efforts to maintain the state’s reputation for high-quality cocoa production.
He reiterated the Governor’s commitment to ensuring Ondo State remains the highest cocoa-producing state with good quality, warning that anyone caught engaging in adulteration would be prosecuted. The government would also seal up stores involved in such activities and destroy the produce.
“We want to send a strong signal to all cocoa merchants who intend to engage in these illegal activities to rethink their actions,” Chief Odusanya said. “If we claim to be the highest cocoa-producing state and yet engage in adulteration, it will give us a bad image both nationally and internationally, which we don’t want.”
The Permanent Secretary commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for approving the recruitment of 60 new produce staff to monitor cocoa merchants’ activities, boosting the workforce’s capacity and revenue generation. He also praised the Task Force Committee for their efforts in maintaining the state’s position in the country and international market.
Earlier, Mr. Tunji Akinnadeju, a director in the produce department, revealed that the adulterants were intercepted at Omiluri, containing cut and dried kola nuts, cocoa pods, and shafts, which would have been difficult to detect and would have fetched a high price due to the weight-based measurement of cocoa.
Mr. Sunday Adegbola, Director of Produce Licensing and Pest Control, corroborated Mr. Akinnadeju’s sentiments, warning that consuming adulterated cocoa products could affect human health.
He attributed the nefarious activities to the high price of cocoa in the international market and emphasized that the ministry would not rest until the state is free from adulteration.
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