Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has urged youths, retired military officers, retired senior public officers, and businessmen to go into agricultural practice to improve the nation’s economy.
Akeredolu gave the advice at the Ondo State Cocoa Day during the 3rd edition of the Ondo State Agriculture Show and Food Fair held on Thursday in Akure.
The programme was organized by the Ondo State Agricultural Commodities’ Association (OSACA) with the theme “Agricultural Commodities: Basic Instruments for the Economic and Industrial Revolution.’’
The governor, who was represented by The Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Olayato Aribo urged retirees to practice agriculture in order not to leave it at the hands of peasant farmers.
According to him, there is a need to produce quality and acceptable farm produce for international communities by discouraging the use of harmful agrochemicals.
“I wish to call on all stakeholders in the Agric sub-sector, particularly our farmers and its associations, to strive for increased output in order to feed the agro-allied industries for optimum production.
“The state government, on its part, shall continue to ensure and enforce quality control of agricultural produce to ensure that farm products from Ondo State are acceptable to the international market.
“Our educated youths and retirees can join hands with OSACA to form a formidable team for farmers in Ondo State.
“When they appear in Abuja, they will be able to speak with confidence to attract federal support to Ondo State,” he said.
Earlier, National President of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), called on farmers to engage in smart agricultural practices and irrigation systems rather than the age-long rain-fed agricultural practices.
Abolarinwa, who was represented by Mr. Ademola Agbada, said that the issue of diversification of the Nigerian economy from petroleum to agriculture played a major role in the economic agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He, therefore, called on governments to place much emphasis on funding the upstream (production) sector of the cocoa value chain, saying it would increase production and sustainability.
“The only panacea to our dwindling foreign exchange is to increase our agricultural commodity production, increase our value addition, and increase our exportation drive.
“We can only achieve this through a collaborative synergy between governments at all levels and critical stakeholders,” he said.
On his part, The Chairman, Ondo State Cocoa Council, Dr. Olusegun Awolumate appreciated the state government for its role in cocoa production, saying the council would continue to promote and develop climate-smart cocoa production.
According to him, the innovation of intensification will increase and bring a higher yield if farmers can adopt it.
“There is a need for effective participation of youths in agribusiness, technology-driven and sustainable cocoa production requirements, as well as international trade and export practices,” he said.
More so, The National Organizing Secretary of the National Coconut Producers Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NACOPPMAN), Mrs. Okuwafunmilayo Ewa-Jesu said that about 300 products could be generated from coconut.
Ewa-Jesu admonished youths to embrace the cultivation of coconut for them to be self-reliant.
“Coconut is a product that a family can plant so that generation to generation can benefit from it.
“If we talk about the unemployment of youths, each of the 300 products of the coconut plantation can create employment for our youth, wealth, and county at large,” she said.
