Founder and Group Managing Director of multinational agribusiness firm, Johnvents Group, Mr. John Alamu, has said Private-sector investment is increasingly driving value addition in Ondo State’s agricultural sector, with the company positioning the state as a key hub in its global value chain through large-scale processing and manufacturing operations.
Speaking during the Ondo @ 50 Golden Jubilee celebrations, Alamu said the firm’s investments are aimed at reversing decades of dependence on raw commodity exports, particularly cocoa, by ensuring agricultural produce is processed closer to where it is grown and converted into higher-value products for domestic and international markets.
His words: Ondo State is one of Nigeria’s leading cocoa-producing states, where farming has long sustained rural livelihoods. However, much of the crop has traditionally been exported in raw form, limiting the state’s participation in the global chocolate market valued at over $130 billion.
The GMD said its operations in Ondo were structured to address this gap through integrated value-chain development.
Specially, Alamu said the company had established 10 factories across the state, linking farmers directly to processing facilities and industrial production.
“Ondo State has grown cocoa and other crops for decades. Our focus is on processing these commodities here at home, creating jobs, and building products that can compete globally,” Alamu said.
He explained that the firm’s model connects agriculture to manufacturing, supports industrial activity and has made Johnvents one of the largest employers of labour in Ondo State.
According to him, value addition goes beyond physical structures to include human capital development.
“It is about people — farmers, technicians, engineers and young professionals — who together form the foundation of a sustainable industrial economy. With the right policies and infrastructure, Ondo State can deepen value addition and strengthen its position in regional and global markets.
“Beyond cocoa processing, Johnvents’ operations cover cashew, sesame, legumes, almonds, pistachios, rice, edible oil, animal feed, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and logistics.
“The company operates across several countries, with activities extending beyond Nigeria into other parts of Africa and international markets, a development it said places Ondo State at the centre of its wider global value chains”, he said.
The company also congratulated the people and government of Ondo State on the milestone and commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on his first year in office.
“Ondo at 50 is a moment of pride for the people of the state. We congratulate the government and citizens of Ondo State on this Golden Jubilee and commend the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the state continues to strengthen its economic and industrial foundation,” Alamu said.
Fidelis David
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