November 07, (THEWILL) – Ogun State government says it has distributed over 100,000 improved cocoa seedlings to farmers and provided lands to prospective investors to boost production
This according to the governor, Dapo Abiodun was part of his administration’s plan to fulfil all listed pre-conditions necessary for a mega lift in the cocoa support initiatives for cocoa farmers, stakeholders and investors in primary production.
He stated this in Abeokuta at the Second Cocoa Farmers’ Day Celebration, organised by Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), which witnessed participation by farmers from 13 cocoa producing states in Nigeria
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina said that documentation of additional candidates, off-takers and processors had been submitted to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to enable the farmers to access the needed intervention that would restore the lost glory in the sector.
Speaking, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Muhammad Abubakar, represented by the Federal Director of Agriculture, Mrs. Karima Babangida, said that the ministry had carried out different intervention programmes for cocoa farmers in the country.
Abubakar said that the programmes included free distribution of improved cocoa seedlings, cocoa solar collapsible dryers, procurement of insecticides to farmers, collaboration with Cocoa Research Institute to assist cocoa farmers, among others.
He, therefore, urged cocoa farmers to continue to improve in their productivity, to enhance their livelihood, assuring them of the government’s continued support.
“I urge you to continue to contribute meaningfully to increase cocoa production, to move cocoa farming to an enviable level, in order to improve livelihood of farmers and other actors in the cocoa value-chain.
“We have taken note of your challenges, concerns and suggestions, you can be rest assured that the Ministry will continue to support you and your association”, he added
Earlier, the National President, CFAN, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, said the choice of Ogun State for the celebration was borne out of the friendly cocoa economy atmosphere created by Governor Abiodun which he said had attracted investors to the state.
