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ZILEX LIMITED STRATEGISES TOWARDS CULTIVATION, MAINTENANCE OF 5,000-HECTARE COCOA PLANTATION IN ONDO STATE
…Initiative to serve as benchmark for high-quality cocoa processing in Nigeria – Chairman Omaghomi
The management of ZILEX Limited has expressed the readiness to justify the confidence reposed in the company for the cultivation and maintenance of a 5,000-hectare cocoa plantation in Ondo State.
The Ondo State Government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ZILEX Limited for the establishment and management of the plantation at the Ala Forest Reserve in Akure North local government area of the state.
The project, which is expected to scale up to 10,000 hectares in its second phase, forms part of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s “OUR EASE” Agenda aimed at boosting economic growth, attracting investment, enhancing agricultural value addition and expanding export capacity.
Speaking on the initiative, while appearing on OSRC TV Business and Financial Programme, “Business Today” the Ondo State Director and Operations Manager of ZILEX Limited, Mr. Joseph Faboyegun described the venture as a strategic diversification move for the company, which already has established expertise in oil and gas, telecommunications, and system integration.
According to him, the agricultural arm of the company, ZILEX Agro-Allied Hub was specifically created to drive cocoa-related investments and plantation management.
He noted that Ondo State remains Nigeria’s leading cocoa-producing state, making it a natural destination for large-scale agribusiness investment, adding that the enabling environment created by the state government under the current administration encouraged the company to partner with the government.
Mr. Faboyegun disclosed that preparatory activities including soil testing and environmental assessments are already underway, noting that cocoa cultivation requires careful planning, particularly in areas such as shade management, pest control and disease prevention.
On cocoa varieties to be cultivated, he revealed that the project will utilise the improved TC Series hybrid cocoa seedlings developed by the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN).
”The hybrid variety is resistant to pests and diseases and has a shorter gestation period with productive yield achievable within 18 months to three years”.
He confirmed that the improved seedlings are already being cultivated across cocoa-producing communities in the state and have shown positive results.
In terms of employment generation, Fagboyegun said the company projects the creation of about 3,000 direct and indirect jobs in the first phase covering 5,000 hectares with expansion to 10,000 hectares and the introduction of processing facilities, job opportunities are expected to rise to approximately 6,000.
”The employment structure will span various stages of production, including land preparation, plantation establishment, maintenance, harvesting, fermentation, drying, logistics, security and processing operations”.
”The company also pledged to prioritise the engagement of youths, women and local farmers from host communities”.
The Ondo State Director of Operations expressed confidence in the project’s success, stating that ZILEX Limited has the technical expertise, financial capacity and long-term investment strategy required to sustain the initiative.
Also speaking on the development via telephone, the Chairman of ZILEX Limited, Engineer Alex Omaghomi who was attending a cocoa summit in Amsterdam stated that the Ondo project aligns with the company’s international expansion strategy.
According to the Chairman, the firm is engaging foreign partners and investors to ensure the project meets global standards.
Omaghomi therefore expressed confidence that the initiative would serve as a benchmark for high-quality cocoa processing in Nigeria, adding that international partnerships would play a key role in strengthening export potential and investment inflows.
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