ODSG trains Cocoa Farmers on fire outbreak prevention and Safety
The Ondo State Government has trained Cocoa Farmers on fire prevention and safety measures to protect the economic benefits of Cocoa Production in the state.
The Administrative Secretary of the Cocoa Revolution & Management Agency (COCOREV) Mr. Anthony Oluwole Omolakin, urged farmers to adhere to the training to avoid any unnecessary fire outbreaks at the plantation sites.
Omolakin made these remarks during a sensitisation programme held at the Oda Cocoa Farm Estate in Oda, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State on Tuesday 11th, February 2025.
He stated that the training was necessary to prevent fire outbreaks that could jeopardise cocoa production in the farm estate, as cocoa has become a major revenue source for both the state government and the farmers.
“Given the international value of cocoa, now nearing #14 million per tonne, we must do everything to protect our cocoa plantations because every Cocoa tree in the plantation matters to us,” he said.
According to him, the government wants to stop the recurrence of frequent fire outbreaks at the plantations, which have been occurring annually since 2020.
He added that any farmer who does not cooperate would be evicted from the Cocoa Estate.
He expressed appreciation to the Governor. Hon. Dr. Lucky Orimisan Ayeidatiwa, and the Senior Special Assistant on Agric & Agribusiness, Hon. Wemimo Rotimi Akinsola, for the opportunity to implement the programme.
A Senior fire service Officer, Mr. Ologun Olanrewaju, who was the resource person at the event, urged farmers to avoid any potential causes of fire, such as negligence, intentional actions, human factors, uncontrolled weeds, and natural causes like lightning strikes.
Olanrewaju also highlighted that oxygen, heat, and fuel are the key elements of fire and advised that precautions be taken accordingly.
Another Fire Officer, Mr. Ijato Emmanuel, stated that plantations affected by fire may no longer bear fruit.
He advocated for fire tracing of approximately 4 metres (12 feet) wide around the farms and suggested that youths should form surveillance groups to monitor the cocoa plantations.
He also advised farmers to mobilise quickly as soon as they get information on any fire outbreak to stop it from escalating. 
Emmanuel also stressed the importance of agricultural insurance, urging farmers to insure their farms to ensure maximum protection.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the Director of Plantation at the Cocoa Revolution & Management Agency, Mr. Vincent Shaba, thanked farmers for continuing the legacy established years ago since the establishment of the plantation.
He expressed disappointment that farmers were not fully adhering to instructions and mentioned that fire tracing had become an essential practice for farmers at the Cocoa Board.
However, he encouraged farmers to make fire tracing a priority and adopt the practices promoted by the Cocoa Revolution & Management Agency.
The Chairman of Oda farmers group in Camp 1 in the Estate, Hon. Victor Ajisegiri, urged the government to put more effort into ensuring that network facilities are established in the plantations for better communication and emergency response.
He applauded the sensitisation initiative, expressing hope that it would boost farmers’ morale, and assured that the training received would be adopted and shared with other farmers.
A farmer, Raphael Akinmolayan(Baba Agbe), urged farmers to conduct fire tracing regularly, before the onset of dry season and keep monitoring throughout the period.
The Prince of Oda Land, Chief Emmanuel Ade Adelakun, suggested that such sensitisation should be an ongoing effort, noting that farming has become a business.
He charged farmers to be accountable and adhere to the information, as it could affect the progress and sustainability of their farms.
He stated that fire can be controlled through cooperation among individuals on the plantation.
At the end of the programme, the farmers were given a practical demonstration on how to handle fire incidents.
