OGUN SET TO REVIVE FARM SETTLEMENTS

Ogun State Government has disclosed its intention to revive all the eight farm settlements across the State.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina disclosed this  during an interview in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Dr. Odedina said Prince the Dapo Abiodun's administration was not only set to revive the farm settlements but to also create more  just like the Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo's Agricultural legacy and even surpass it.

According to him, " The farm settlements when refurbished, will have arable lands, accommodation for farmers, electricity, water supply, modern implements and ready market for farm produce".

He expressed optimism that farmers who want to leverage on Anchor Borrowers' Programme could also settle in any of the farmlands.

The Commissioner, while admonishing farmers to start getting ready for this year's planting season by clearing their farmlands, procuring of seedlings and fertilisers, however cautioned them against planting now as the current level of rainfall is not sufficient for farming, except those in the riverine or swamping areas.

AGRIC MINISTRY ASSURES RUBBER PRODUCERS, MARKETERS  OF COLLABORATION

The National Rubber Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NARPPMAN), have been assured of more Government's collaboration in order to enhance their activities.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina disclosed this when members of the Association paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.

The Commissioner who noted that the vision of the Prince Dapo Abiodun led- administration was to support farmers of all categories said, the government is not resting on its oars in the area of provision of inputs to farmers, as well as exposing them to extension services.

He added that government has entered into strategic alliance with credible national and international organisations with the view to ameliorating the financial burden of farmers.

Odedina reiterated government's willingness to give assent to the Association's request for large expanse of land for rubber plantation, but maintained that the government must be convinced that it will in turn create jobs and engage the youths.

In his remarks, a former Commissioner for Forestry in the State and a member of the Association, Chief Dele Odulaja noted that the Ministry's strides is worthy of mention, disclosing that the Association still needs collaboration in terms of the provision of farmlands and equipment.

Speaking earlier, Ogun state Chairman of NARPPMAN, Mr. Oladele MacDaniel, revealed their intention of reviving rubber and its value chain across the country. 

He added that  part of their goals was  develop natural resources in order to produce renewable raw materials.