Ondo govt begins fight against cocoa beans adulteration
The government of Ondo State has begun a crackdown on the adulteration of cocoa beans in the state following the seizure in the Ireje community in the Ondo East Local Government Area of the state. Permanent Secretary in the state ministry of agriculture and forestry, Segun Odusanya, disclosed this on Saturday in an interview with journalists after the arrest of a female suspect, alleged of supplying adulterants. Odusanya lamented at how some ‘unscrupulous’ individuals were mixing dried cocoa with the placenta with cocoa beans to increase weight. He described the action as sabotaging the nation’s economy and image at the international market, saying Ondo, being the highest cocoa producer in Nigeria, is severely impacted by the unwholesome practice. “The alarming rate of produce adulteration, particularly in cocoa beans, is compromising quality, resulting in loss of premium value and attracting discounts […]