The Edo State Government is seeking investment from the European Union to expand cocoa cultivation, with plans to make more than 20,000 hectares of land available to farmers over the next three years.

The proposed expansion was discussed during a meeting between EU Head of Cooperation, Massimo De Luca, and a delegation from the Edo State Government at the EU Delegation office in Abuja on October 21, 2026.

The state delegation was led by the Special Adviser on Livestock Development, Roland Igbadumhe, and included the Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture and Food Security, Emmanuel Sule, and the Director in the Ministry of Livestock Development, Lucky Adebudo.

The meeting was organised as part of the state government’s efforts to engage diplomatic missions and attract foreign investment ahead of the Edo International Agricultural and Livestock Investment Summit planned for the first quarter of 2027.

Speaking after the meeting, Igbadumhe said the state’s agricultural development agenda offered opportunities for cooperation with European investors, particularly in cocoa cultivation and dairy production.

He disclosed that Edo had more than 10,000 hectares of land available for livestock production, while the government planned to allocate over 20,000 hectares for cocoa farming within three years.

According to him, the proposed land allocation would create opportunities for investors across agricultural production, processing and other segments of the cocoa and livestock industries.

Igbadumhe described the engagement with the EU as productive, adding that the bloc had expressed its willingness to work with the state government to advance its investment objectives.

He also disclosed that plans were underway for a meeting between the EU Ambassador and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to deepen discussions and identify specific areas of partnership.

The proposed Edo International Agricultural and Livestock Investment Summit is expected to attract investors, development organisations and other stakeholders to explore business opportunities in the state’s agricultural and livestock sectors.