Osun State government has warned herdsmen in the state not to extend their grazing to any of the farm settlements in order to prevent any possible occurrence of crisis in the state.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Adedayo Adewole, stated this in his office in Osogbo during a meeting with officers from OSSADEP and representatives of Iwo farm settlement and other stakeholders.
He stated that the era of allowing cattle to destroy farm produce arbitrarily is gone because the governor, Adegboyega Oyetola-led administration is determined to bring to reality the diversification of Osun State economy in the area of agriculture.
The commissioner also assured that security of lives and property of Osun residents is important to the government of the day, stressing that farmers and herdsmen are to work harmoniously for the upliftment of agribusiness in the state.
He said necessary memos would be raised for the restriction of open grazing around farm settlements in the state.
Adewole also expressed the state government’s readiness to support cocoa farmers in the state.
According to him, governor Oyetola is aware of the plight of the farmers, their inability to get maximum returns from their efforts and he is determined to change the face of cocoa farming in the state.
Adewole explained further that all their requests would be forwarded to the governor in due course, adding that government as an institution could not provide all their needs but encouraged cocoa farmers to group themselves into cooperative societies through which they can access funds in any available financial institution for proper propagation of their agric business.
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