Ondo State has launched a 1,000-hectare coffee plantation project aimed at reviving coffee production in the state and creating jobs for more than 2,000 farmers across the agricultural value chain.
The initiative was formally flagged off at the Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Akure during a two-day sensitisation and training programme on coffee production and value chain development. The programme was organised in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and private sector investors.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa described the project as a major step towards repositioning Ondo as a leading coffee-producing state in Nigeria. The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Leye Akinola, said the state was determined to restore its place in the country’s coffee industry after years of decline.
According to him, Ondo was once recognised for producing premium Robusta coffee for export before the industry suffered setbacks caused by policy inconsistencies, ageing plantations, and years of neglect.
He said the new project would not only revive production but also create employment opportunities in farming, nursery operations, processing, packaging, logistics, and export services.
“The 1,000-hectare project will directly engage over 2,000 farmers while also creating additional employment opportunities in nurseries, cultivation, processing, packaging, and export services,” Aiyedatiwa said.
The governor noted that coffee remains one of the world’s most valuable agricultural commodities, with the global coffee market estimated at over $460 billion. He added that Ondo State sees the sector as a strategic economic opportunity capable of attracting investment and increasing internally generated revenue.
He explained that a properly managed hectare of coffee farmland could produce between 1.5 and 2 tonnes of coffee beans, making the business commercially attractive for both local farmers and investors.
Beyond cultivation, the state government said it plans to move into coffee processing and branding through partnerships with private investors. The goal, according to the governor, is to develop “Made-in-Ondo” coffee products that can compete in premium international markets.
Aiyedatiwa said the government would support the project through land allocation for investors and cooperatives, deployment of agricultural extension officers, construction of rural access roads to farming communities, and guaranteed off-take arrangements with relevant agencies and private sector partners.
“No farmer in Ondo State will cultivate coffee without a ready and reliable market,” he assured.
The governor identified Akure North, Idanre, Ifedore, and parts of the Akoko area as major locations suitable for coffee cultivation due to favourable soil conditions, rainfall patterns, and altitude.
He also urged young people in the state to embrace agriculture, describing coffee farming as a profitable and sustainable business opportunity.
“Coffee farming is a smart business. With these 1,000 hectares, we are unlocking thousands of opportunities for enterprise,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa commended the Ondo State chapter of the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria (NACOFTAN) and Lingzhi Global Nigeria Limited for supporting the initiative. He added that the project aligns with the state government’s “OUR EASE” development agenda focused on economic growth and job creation.
“Today, we plant more than seedlings; we plant hope. We plant prosperity. Ondo State has reclaimed its rightful place on the national coffee map,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Foluke Tunde-Daramola, assured stakeholders that the government would provide technical support and monitoring to ensure the success of the programme.
Also speaking, Chairman of NACOFTAN in Ondo State, Ayodele Akinwumi, said the initiative marks the beginning of a long-term plan to position Ondo as Nigeria’s coffee production hub.
He disclosed that over 10,000 hectares of land had already been identified across Akoko, Owo, Idanre, Ore, and Ifedore for future expansion of coffee farming activities.
Akinwumi noted that Nigeria currently contributes less than 0.02 per cent to global coffee production despite having strong production potential, adding that Ondo’s Robusta coffee variety can compete favourably in international markets if properly developed.
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