CBN identifies Ogun as focal point for cocoa cultivation devt

Ogun State Government’s effort at ensuring food sufficiency, industrialisation and economic development through agriculture, has continued to yield results as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), recognised the state as a focal point for the cultivation of cocoa in Nigeria.

Governor of CBN, Dr Godwin Emefiele, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting for cocoa development initiative, organised by Ogun State Government in partnership with the apex bank at Ogun TechHub, Kobape road, Abeokuta.

Emefiele, represented by the Head, Financial Development, at the Abeokuta branch of the bank, Dr (Mrs) Yemisi Olukoya said Ogun State Government had met CBN’s conditions of land evaluation and already taking steps towards inter-cropping of plantain with cocoa, as well as land allocation to farmers, applauding the state government for facilitating the inclusion of the cocoa development programme in its agricultural policy.

He challenged the stakeholders to make cocoa farming more attractive for youths in the state and ensure a good irrigation system to avoid loss of farm produce during the dry season, urging that private investors and partners should be linked to the programme to make it more lucrative.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Adeola Odedina, noted that the state government’s proactive approach to the cocoa development programme was borne out of its realisation of the huge contributions of cocoa to the economy of the country, as well as the immense value-chain opportunities abound.

“Government tested lands and took steps to facilitate plantain co-cropping with cocoa at no cost to the farmers, and is ready to allocate lands to them for cultivation, in a bid to ensure job creation, especially for youths. With this initiative, the private sector will be linked to CBN to enhance value addition, rejuvenation of old farms and establishment of new cocoa farms,” Odedina said.

Speaking in an interview, the Chairman of the Cocoa Farmers’ Association (CAFAN), Apostle Solomon Williams, appreciated the government for the laudable initiative, while the Onidogo of Idogo, Oba Adewale Olubiyi, prayed for the success of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s vision of turning around the state’s economy.