IDO-EKITI (EKITI) – An Agriculturist, Mr Jacob Anuolu, says the resuscitation of cocoa-growing and other cash crops will revive the nation’s ailing economy.
Anuolu made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti.
He said the recent falling crude oil prices at the international market would not have affected the nation’s economy if cocoa-growing had been encouraged by past administrations.
Anuolu said that cocoa and palm trees cultivation played a crucial role in Nigeria in the late 1960s and 1970s before crude oil took the centre stage as the major economic driver.
He commended the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government for its transformation struggle in the agriculture sector.
Anuolu said the move is gradually increasing agricultural production and paving the way for the expansion of the country’s export base.
He urged the government to double its effort in the distribution of cocoa seedlings and palm trees which began two years ago.
“If government continues paying attention to the resuscitation of cocoa-growing, palm trees and other cash crops cultivation, the nation’s economy will bounce back in a few years,’’ he said.
Anuolu urged Nigerians, especially youths to embrace farming and refrain from complaining about not getting employment.
“When hectares of fertile farmlands across the country are not put to use, our youths are still complaining of unemployment, it shows that they are not ready to work.
“I appeal to government at all levels to make agriculture more attractive by empowering the youth to show more interest in the sector,’’ he said. (NAN)
Resuscitation of cocoa-growing will revive ailing economy — Agriculturist
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