Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State governor, on Wednesday said farmers in the state will sing a new song as his administration is determined to change the face of agriculture in the state.
Akeredolu, who gave this assurance while presenting N215million cheques and distribution of farm inputs to farmers, under the Fadama 3 Additional Financing Project, in Akure, said farmers would soon begin to enjoy bountiful harvest coupled with better yield and price for their produce.
He said his administration would not relent in its determination to encourage more people, especially youths, to embrace agriculture as an alternative and reliable source of wealth creation.
The governor urged the beneficiaries to spend the money on the cultivation of the 2,000 hectares of land for the production of rice and cassava it was meant for, urging them not to divert it for another purpose.
He reiterated his administration 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 in 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 chuck 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 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.”
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