Ondo State out of hunger as Akeredolu presents N215 million cheque to farmers
The governor of Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has assured farmers in the state of better harvest and good productivity.
The number one citizen of the state gave the assurance while presenting N215 million cheques and distribution of farm inputs to farmers, under the Fadama3 in Akure the state capital.
Arakunrin Akeredolu said farmers would soon begin to enjoy plenty harvest as a result of better yield and price for their produce.
He said his administration is ready to encourage more people, especially youths, to embrace agriculture as an alternative and reliable source of wealth creation.
The governor asked the beneficiaries, whose are expected to spend the money on the cultivation of about 2,000 hectares of land for the production of rice and cassava, to use the money for the purpose for which it was meant.
He stated that the determination to create jobs through agriculture, entrepreneur and industrialization necessitated his administration to give priority to agriculture at inception.
Akeredolu said: “We are convinced that there can be no real development in our clime if this very important sector is neglected.”
“It is equally our opinion, anchored on empirical evidence that agriculture, practised with a philosophy of self-reliance plays a pivotal role in the absorption of a considerable chunk of the vast army of the unemployed youths who are willing to participate in this realistic project.
“In pursuance of this onerous task, we have, at different for a and events, within and outside the state, met, courted and fraternized with the various development partners, donor agencies, financial institutions, representatives of foreign governments, among others, in our untiring and unyielding quest to solicit robust relationships which will translate to real development in socio-economic terms.”
The governor assured the beneficiaries that the presentation of the cheques and farm inputs marked the beginning of bountiful harvest for them.
He advised them to avoid the temptation of diverting the money for wrong purposes.
Akeredolu said his administration would monitor the application of the money and the farm inputs.
The governor said: “We shall be there to know the challenges which they (farmers) may encounter. We shall, however, not tolerate any attitude which seeks to either slow us down or distract us from the chosen path of development.”
About 1,989 farmers who formed Co-operative cluster groups benefited from the grants.
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