EKITI GOVT, TRACE PROJECT PRESENT N10 MILLION IRRIGATION KITS TO COCOA FARMERS.

EKITI GOVT, TRACE PROJECT PRESENT N10 MILLION IRRIGATION KITS TO COCOA FARMERS.

…As Ekiti Targets Position Among Nigeria’s Leading Cocoa Producing States.

The Ekiti State Government, in collaboration with the TRACE Project, has presented kickstart irrigation pumps worth about ₦10 million to 28 cocoa nursery operators across the Local Government Areas of the State.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, who presented the irrigation kits in Ado-Ekiti, said the selected farmers had earlier undergone training on best practices in raising cocoa seedlings to enhance cocoa production in the State.

Boluwade explained that the State Government has developed a 10-year policy plan aimed at positioning Ekiti among the top three cocoa producing states in Nigeria, with the long-term ambition of making the State the largest cocoa producing state in the country, surpassing the record set during the era of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the old Ondo State.

According to him, the State will require about 10 million cocoa seedlings to achieve this target, hence the need to train and empower cocoa nursery operators who will play a crucial role in producing quality seedlings for farmers.

The Commissioner commended the TRACE Project for its support towards achieving the State Government’s cocoa development agenda and urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the irrigation kits to support the vision of boosting cocoa production in Ekiti.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Babatope Ojo, appreciated the Federal Government, the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and the TRACE Project for the initiative, noting that the intervention would further accelerate efforts to increase cocoa production in the State.

He advised the beneficiaries not to trivialise the gesture but to utilise the equipment judiciously to improve their livelihoods while contributing to the State Government’s agricultural development plan.

Also speaking, the TRACE Project Representative, Mr. Adedigba Fisayo, revealed that the project has trained and provided inputs to over 15,000 farmers since its commencement in Ekiti State in 2022, adding that Ekiti is one of the six states selected for the project in Nigeria.

He explained that the 28 beneficiaries were carefully selected in 2025 and trained to become cocoa nursery operators who will support the State in expanding cocoa production.

Adedigba cautioned the beneficiaries against diverting the materials for purposes other than those intended, stressing that the project reserves the right to withdraw the items if misused.

In their remarks, the TRACE Project Desk Officer at the Ministry, Mr. Akerele Olalekan, and one of the beneficiaries from Ilumoba-Ekiti, Mr. Onamadi Michael, expressed appreciation to the State Government and the TRACE Project for the support.

They pledged that the beneficiaries would make judicious use of the equipment to support massive cocoa production in Ekiti State.