Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration in Ekiti State has charged Cocoa farmers to participate actively in her policy formulation to upgrade cocoa farming in the State.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade gave the charge at a meeting with groups of cocoa farmers and other stakeholders in his office in Ado Ekiti.
Mr. Boluwade who noted that active participation of the groups in government policy formulation would assist cocoa value chain in Nigeria as well as Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire said the State Government Reserves could be used for the planting of modern seedlings and irrigation during the dry season.
Also speaking, The Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and
Investments, Mrs. Tayo Adeola who affirmed that Ekiti State used to be one of the highest producer of the commodity in the South/West region stressed that the story had eroded, hence, the need to revive the sector to create wealth.
Earlier, the Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria(ALFAN) Mr. Adebola Alagbada who spoke on behalf of other cocoa farmers and stakeholders, listed some challenges facing cocoa farming in the state to include, effect of climate change, indiscriminate bush burning, urbanization and land tenure system among others.
Mr Alagbada added that government policies, Old Tree Stock, shortage of staff in the Tree Crops and Produce Departments, pest and diseases were also part of the problems and proffered solutions to some of the problems to include government support to cocoa farmers, irrigation facilities, timely intervention, distribution of improved seedlings and agro chemicals.
Representatives of different Cocoa Farmers Associations such as Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Cocoa Growers Association of Nigeria COGAN Cocoa Cooperatives Society of Nigeria (CCSN) as well as Cocoa Buyers Association(CBA) attended the meeting.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
