Relevant stakeholders in the production of cash crops in Ogun State have been urged to tap from the emerging strategies of improving the quantity and quality of produce, towards enhancing food security in the state.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo made this known at the 2024 Annual Pre-season and Stakeholders’ Forum with the theme, “The Future of Cash Crops in Ogun State: Land Availability, Youth Engagement, Climate Change Mitigation”, at Valley View Auditorium, Isale-Igbein, Abeokuta.
Owotomo said cash crop production was a vital sector in the state’s economy as it provides livelihood for numerous farmers and contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), noting that the Ministry had launched several initiatives to tackle the challenges faced by cash crop industries such as climate change, high cost of production, land availability among others.
He disclosed that both Federal and State governments, as well as the private sector had intensified efforts to develop the agricultural sector along its value chain, to create employment opportunities, recalling the free distribution of 24,000 bags of fertilizers to 12,000 farmers, and allocation of 8,550 hectares of land to private investors. to boost food production.
“Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration is doing so much to develop the sector through sundry farming, food processing and market initiatives in the past few years, with the aim of boosting production of cocoa and other cash crops as well as improving farmers’ income and promote sustainable practices”, the Commissioner said.
In her contributions, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Kehinde Jokotoye, who described agriculture as the sustenance of life, and the bedrock of economy development, emphasised the need for stakeholders’ forum to cross-fertilise ideas and share best practices in sustaining cash crop production.
In his presentation, the Guest Speaker, Professor of Entomology, Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAB), Prof. Adedoyin Osipitan pointed out that improper management of farmland and deforestation had been hindering consistent cash crop production, calling on government to discourage the unwholesome acts, while advising operating industries to embrace solar and other source of renewable energy to generate power for production, so as to create eco-friendly environment for agricultural activities to thrive in the state.
In their goodwill messages, state Chairmen, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Alhaja Ganiyat Adeoye-Kusimo and Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Chief Sesan Mac-Daniel, appreciated the present administration for the laudable initiatives and support given to farmers.
Highlights of the event included, presentation of awards to Agro-Processing and Agro-Allied companies as well as Produce officers, while commendation letters were given to staff of the Produce Department of the Ministry.
