A frontline governorship aspirant under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Mayowa Akinfolarin, has promised to adequately fund agriculture and provide incentives to support farmers by providing the enabling environment for the sector to thrive.
Akinfolarin who stated this while speaking to party faithfuls in Ondo, Ondo West/ East local government areas said this will put an end to excruciating pains, hunger and economic hardship confronting Nigerians, particularly, residents of Ondo State.
The former Member of the House of Representatives said reviving the agriculture sector especially the cocoa sector will reposition the state and country among the comity of cocoa producing nation.
According to him, Nigeria will continue to be a leading player in the global cocoa industry as the fourth largest producer, covering 6.5 per cent share of global production.
Akinfolarin explained that Cocoa is responsible for 1.04 per cent of exports and contributes 3.33 per cent to employment in Nigeria, hence, his government will aggressively promote the cultivation and processing by partnering and encourage investors to support farmers with inputs and facilities that would alleviate their suffering.
The ex-lawmaker explained that the economic importance of cocoa to Nigeria and the coastal state , which accounts for about 40 per cent of the national output cannot be overemphasised, hence, it will receive massive investment by his administration.
He said: “The three local governments I’ve visited today are majority known for cocoa production. My parents were farmers and I am a farmer as well. So, I know the nitty gritty of agriculture, so I will convert this state to an agricultural base through mechanized farming.
“The primary responsibility of government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people and as someone saddled with the responsibility of governance, I will create an enabling environment for farmers and other businesses to thrive.”
He noted that despite the huge importance of cocoa to the state, its production has been sandwiched with avalanche of problems mostly leading to poor quality of output and resultant loss of revenue.
“If you look at most of the cocoa trees in Ondo State, they are over 70 years in age. So, it will be in my interest and the interest of the people of the state to ensure that have access to improved seedlings that would produce fruits within three years.
“Just like I did when I was in the House of Representatives, I bought two graders, knowing fully well that I am from agrarian constituency, so, I bought two tractors, one for Ile-Oluji, one for Odigbo. So, we embarked on yearly grading.
“It is shocking and painful that the youths, after graduation, will still depend on their parents to feed them. However, under my watch, this shall no more be the case.”
He lamented that “it is shameful for Nigeria to import red oil from the people who came here years back to pick palm fruit, the major revenue Malaysia is derived from the production of palm oil”
A former member of the House of Representatives, Dr Temitayo Fawehinmi and the chairman of the party in Ondo West LG, Benard Aro, said they believe that Akinfolarin got the experience and knowledge to take the state to higher realms.
Fawehinmi said, “Akinfolarin is sympathetic and some people see him as too gentle for the difficult task of politics but for somebody that has gone so far in winning elections five times and being supported by his people over the years, I think ruling the state will be easy and comfortable for him”
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