Cocoa Board Distributes Subsidised Agro-Chemicals To Farmers

By Israel Afolabi

State of Osun Cocoa Board has flagged-off the distribution of subsidised agro-chemicals to cocoa farmers in the state, with a view to increasing their crops.

Flagging-off the distribution of the chemical at the Cocoa Board room, State Secretariat, Abere on Tuesday, the Chairman, Osun Produce Board (OPD) in the state, Dr Yemi Adegoke said the gesture was part of the government interventions to ensure better yield for cocoa farmers in the state.

According to him, the intervention came after requests were received from farmers in the state on the need to assist them in the area of agro-chemicals to boost their cocoa seeds, urging the beneficiaries to make use of agro-chemicals to increase their production.

He said, “We received different requests from farmers association in the state concerning agro-chemicals to boast their cocoa seed and we went ahead to make provision for these chemicals worth N1.3million.

“Our commitment is to ensure that you, as cocoa farmers have all it require to succeed in farming in Osun and Nigeria at large”.

Also, the Project Manager, Tree Crop Programme (TCP), Mr Adegbenbo Seyi advised the cocoa farmers to make use of the chemical and return the money to the board at appropriate time for others to benefit as well.

He added that it is a good step from the government to help farmers in the state for better yield.

Chairman of Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, Elder Andrew Ojo, promised that the farmers would make use of the agro-chemicals well, as he lauded the cocoa board and the state government on the gesture which he described as very important one.

He urged the cocoa farmers to pay for the subsidised agro-chemicals in time to help government to generate income as well.