Osun resuscitates cocoa products industry

Osun State government has revived the moribund Cocoa Products Industry in Ede through a partnership with Chinese firm , Golden Monkey of China which has 70 per cent equity while Osun has 30 per cent. Governor. Rauf Aregbesola ,who was in Ede for a facility tour of the newly resuscitated industry ,said the state will […]

Osun State government has revived the moribund Cocoa Products Industry in Ede through a partnership with Chinese firm , Golden
Monkey of China which has 70 per cent equity while Osun has 30 per cent.
Governor. Rauf Aregbesola ,who was in Ede for a facility tour of the newly resuscitated industry ,said the state will soon become the hub of cocoa production in the country with the revival of the industry.
He noted that the resuscitation of the industry is a milestone in the state in view of the current production capacity of 20,000 metric tons compared to its 5,000  tons capacity in 2001 before the factory was abandoned.
According to him,the cocoa products industry in Ede will support the state’s agricultural plan and efforts at developing cocoa farming in the state.
He commended the Chinese company for its commitment to the contractual agreement by hitting the ground running with a factory that is four time higher than  the maximum capacity of the industry before it became moribund.
Aregbesola said: “From my projection, I want them to increase the strength of their production by consistently taking their production from liquid to powder and cake.
“With this production, the name of our state will be on the map of the world as a centre of excellence in the processing of cocoa and other products. Though the maximum capacity of this plant when it was operated last in 2001 was 5, 000 tons but now, it is producing 20, 000 tons.
“We praise those who have made it possible especially for putting in their best to make it a reality. We are highly optimistic that this centre will support our agricultural efforts and economic drive to empower our cocoa farmers and merchants”.
Earlier, the Assistant General Manager of Skyron Cocoa Production
Industry, Song Lin said the management had increased  the production capacity four times than what they met before the agreement.