In a bid to ensure economic growth in the state, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has unveiled a comprehensive cocoa revival agenda of his administration as a major contributor to agricultural production.
The governor who spoke at the International Cocoa Conference in Lagos as contained in a statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, described the importance of cocoa in the diversification of Nigerian economy.
“As oil is the backbone of the Nigerian economy today, so was cocoa to old Western Nigeria. The late sage, premier of old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, deployed earnings from cocoa to develop the region, building the 25- storey Cocoa House, investing in durable infrastructure, pioneering television broadcast in Africa and investing in education and health services.
“When you travel across the South West, you will see many old storey buildings of various designs. Those are the houses of many prosperous traders who thrived across the zones in those days. Booming cocoa economy was the foundation of the robust economy of the old western region,” Governor Adeleke noted.
Unveiling the agenda of his administration to revitalise cocoa production in the state, Governor Adeleke emphasised that cocoa producing states have a direct challenge and obligation to introduce new innovations that will help to revive the sector and increase productivity level of cocoa farmers.
“As a starting point, it is my considered view that Nigeria especially cocoa producing states have a direct challenge and obligation to introduce innovations towards reviving the cocoa sector; to set targets to increase tonnes of cocoa they presently produce; to support cocoa farmers and ensure that young farmers enter the sub-sector and to collaborate with research institutions such as the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria(CRIN) for new cocoa breed etc.”
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