As part of efforts at boosting cocoa production in the state, the Ekiti State Government has distributed agro-chemicals and fertilizers worth N6, 164,000 to 134 cocoa farmers under its Cocoa Growth Enhancement Scheme.
Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Babajide Arowosafe explained that government’s focus was to encourage and assist farmers to achieve bumper harvests.
Mr. Arowosafe who noted that each cocoa farmer got agro-chemicals including Ridomil and Biotherin worth N46,000, advised the farmers to make judicious use of the items in order to achieve the expected plentiful harvest and justify government’s huge investment in the sector.
The Commissioner assured that the state government would not relent efforts at turning the state into a food basket.
According to him, government has distributed 150,000 cocoa seedlings to farmers free of charge, adding that Governor Fayemi
has also approved the raising of 500,000 cocoa seedlings for the current year with a view to increase the hectares of cocoa farms in the state.
Mr. Arowosafe said government has sponsored the training of six members of staff of the ministry on pollination to facilitate the production of hybrid pods while two others were trained in Indonesia on comprehensive cocoa rehabilitation.
He charged the farmers to reciprocate the good gesture of the state government by working diligently to achieve desired result of all stakeholders.
Last modified: March 12, 2013