The government of Osun State has promised farmers in the state of its readiness to support their farming ventures in order to enhance maximum output.
This disclosure was made by the Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Osun State Produce Board, Dr Yemi Adegoke on Monday at a stakeholders’ meeting with cocoa farmers and merchants in Osogbo.
Adegoke assured the farmers that the produce board would place order for the supply of high-quality agro-chemicals and farm inputs, including implements, and sell them to farmers at subsidised rates to improve their production.
While noting that the produce board was established to increase farmers’ income via improved productivity and ensure massive food production in the state, Adegoke said that the board had been linking farmers with available markets to facilitate the sale of their produce and enable them to make more profits without any hitches.
The Produce Board CEO urged cocoa merchants to cooperate with the board so as to forestall illegal cocoa trades in the state. He also appealed to cocoa farmers to use the cocoa branding bags, introduced by the board, for cocoa grading and export purposes.
He stressed that cocoa grading and haulage could not solely boost cocoa production, adding that this could be achieved through the provision of high-yield improved seedlings.
The representatives of Cocoa Farmers Association, Chief Bola Otunla and Alhaji Raji Opejin, expressed satisfaction with the state government’s policy.
They expressed optimism that the establishment of the produce board and the introduction of cocoa branding bags would go a long way in alleviating the challenges facing cocoa farmers in the state.
The farmers also called for the establishment of standard cocoa processing companies in the country, saying that pragmatic efforts should be made to discourage the exportation of cocoa for processing abroad.
