Ogun State Government said on Friday that the state had comparative advantage in cash crops like cocoa and cashew, capable of boosting its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Dr Adeola Odedina, Commissioner for Agriculture, stated this while addressing farmers during the distribution of free improved cashew seedlings, at Ikenne Farm Settlement in the state.
He said that the state government was delighted with the development, as it would help in its economic diversification from crude oil to agriculture.
Represented by the Director, Tree Crops and Rural Development Services, Mr James Oyesola, the commissioner said government was poised to pursue all non-oil opportunities within the state’s reach, to economic advantage.
Odedina described the distribution of free seedlings as an initiative meant to alleviate the plight of small holder farmers from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that Gov. Dapo Abiodun was particularly passionate in helping farmers with needed inputs to grow quality cocoa and cashew products that would fetch foreign exchange, boost farmers’ livelihoods, as well as create more jobs for the youths.
The commissioner, who described the move as pivotal for the State, said the nurtured crops would be free from pests and more assistance would be provided to farmers, including the repairs of link roads to various farms across the State.
He added that officers from the Ministry would be on ground to guide them during the production period for maximum yields, urging the farmers to utilise the opportunity judiciously and refrain from selling the seedlings given to them.
“Next to cocoa, cashew happens to be one of the foreign exchange products that can improve our GDP.
“In this era of diversification from oil to agriculture, cashew is one of the crops that can thrive with comparative advantage. That is why Gov. Abiodun is emphasising that seedlings should be given free to farmers.
” There will be due diligence in the distribution and our Extension Agents will monitor the process in their various farms across the State”, he said.
The Chairman, Ogun State Cashew Growers Association, Chief Sunday Adeniji, appreciated the state government for the gesture, saying that Ogun farmers were lucky to have a governor who had placed optimal value on agriculture, farmers and other value-chains actors.
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mr Ayo Awoyade, applauded the governor, whose agricultural programmes, he said, had lured him and others to invest in agriculture and that the free cashew seedlings would further boost their livelihoods.(NAN)
