ODSG Begins Banks Scheme For Agric

0
Ondo Gov Akeredolu
Ondo State Government had declared its readiness to commence ware -housing project of lands for agricultural purposes through a Land Bank Scheme.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Head of Information unit of the state Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Bolu Ajijo which was made available to The Hope yesterday.
The statement read that the scheme will encourage communities and individual land owners to release their land in trust to the State on lease arrangement in order to make lands easily accessible and available to genuine and serious investors willing to take advantage of the vast agricultural opportunities in the state.
It said Governor Akeredolu made the disclosure during the inauguration of the National Executive of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), at the weekend in Akure.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Asiwaju, Adegboyega Adefarati, said the scheme was put in place to address perennial shortage of cultivable lands for agricultural purposes and to encourage more people to go into farming.
While reiterating the commitment of his administration to improve the livelihood of farmers, he said government has commenced the process of awarding  more than 60km of feeders roads, linking the various farm land camps and villages to enable  farmers move their produces to the markets without any hitch.
He urged farmers to key into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) 200bn lifeline to all tree crops farmers in Nigeria giving at a single digit interest rate which he said will commence soon.
Earlier in his acceptance speech, the National President of CFAN, Comrade Adeola Adegoke appreciated the founding fathers of the association for their examplary leadership.
While commending Ondo State government for the free distribution of improved cocoa seedlings, Adegoke promised to embark on registration of cocoa farmers across the State, improve agro inputs supply and work towards improving the quality of cocoa produced in the state.