Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, says he is working on boosting the state’s economy cocoa, which used to be the main export of the old Western region.
The governor was at the Shanghai Golden Minkey Group, a cocoa production company that just resumed production after it last operated in 2001.
He was taken round the facility and the Assistant General Manager of the company, Ms Song Lin informed him that the production capacity is now 20,000 tons per annum.
Ms Lin told Aregbesola that the company presently produces cocoa paste and very soon, it will begin the production of both cocoa powder and cake.
The governor, while commending the company, noted that Osun State will soon become a hub of cocoa production in Nigeria.
“From my projection, I want them to increase the strength of their production by consistently taking their production from liquid to power 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 upgrade last in 2001 was 5, 000 tons but now it produces 20, 000 tons.
He expressed optimism that the revival of the cocoa company would support agricultural efforts and economic drive of government; as well as empower Osun cocoa farmers, merchants and create employment opportunity for hundreds of youths in the state.
