Ondo State Governor; Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; have flagged-off the year 2020 Agricultural Planting Season in Akure, the state capital.
The ceremony which was held at the Government House Grounds, was done with the goal of mitigating the challenges hampering food production chain due to the ripple effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The measures and support programmes put in place by the government for the mitigation of these challenges include; but not limited to; the distribution of newly purchased tractors, presentation of soft loans to agriculturists and the approval of the disbursement of other various palliative items to farmers.
Speaking at the event which was attended by a limited number of people; in line with the social distancing rule due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Akeredolu stated that this year’s event was the third of its kind, maintaining that it is the demonstration of the government’s avowed promise to the agricultural sector.
He stated that “you can see we are not many here, and we have set protocol in place how we can stay in the public”.
“We have milestones of achievements over the years on agriculture in Ondo State, and we are doing our best in Ondo State”.
“We have decided to embark on several measures to boost sufficient food production for the residents, because the effect of the pandemic is obvious to us all”
Akeredolu also noted that the tractors will help the farmers to embark on farming activities with ease.
The Governor also appreciated the Ondo State Agricultural commodity Association, (OSACA) for the huge donations to farmers across the state, adding it is one of the greatest feats of the government.
Speaking also at the event ,Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Otunba Adegboyega Adefarati, appreciated the Governor for his enormous contributions to the agricultural sector of the state.
“let me use this occasion to express appreciation to our amiable Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his supports at all times, towards the development of agriculture, despite the little resources available in the state”
“I am happy to inform you that Ondo State is one of the states to benefit from three World Bank projects namely: livelihood improvement family enterprise-Niger Delta to the tune of 10million USD, livestock productivity and resilience support project (L-pres) gulping 200million USD for 15 states and FAO grants of 3million USD for Cocoa and Oil Palm value chains for Nigeria”, he said.
Similarly,the Ondo State Chairman Poultry Association of Nigeria; Rev. Oluleye Gideon; appreciated Arakunrin Akeredolu for extending hands of help to the farmers of the state. He also thanked the Commissioner of Agriculture for his immense support to the farmers in the State.
