AKURE – Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State on Thursday, disbursed N6 million to 12 agro-based cooperative societies as government grant to improve agricultural production in the state.
The governor, who was represented at the disbursement ceremony in Akure by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Lasisi Oluboyo, said the state government had lined up many programmes for farmers.
He said the Agricultural Development Project (ADP), the Cocoa Revolution, as well as the new Chocolate Academy, were interventions in the agriculture sector aimed at making farming attractive to the people.
Mimiko added that over 420 hectares of cocoa plantation had been rehabilitated in Oda town in Akure South Local Government Area of the state.
The governor noted that the Cocoa Commodity Exchange was established to enhance the quality and value of cocoa produced in the state.
He explained that the first production from the Chocolate Academy had been taken to Europe and the product had been certified well and would soon be available for consumption in the country.
The governor then urged beneficiaries of the agro-based scheme to make good use of the money given to them for agricultural development in the state.
The Chairman, Wealth Creation Agency (WECA), Mrs Bolanle Olafunmiloye, commended the state government “for the huge investment in agriculture.’’
She then urged youths who were passionate about agriculture to join or form cooperative societies so that it would be easier for them to access funds meant for agriculture development. (NAN)