OGUN State government has commenced the distribution of 20,000 cashew seedlings to farmers in Abeokuta North and Yewa North local government areas to boost agricultural productivity and food security, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), has said.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Bolu Owotomo, disclosed this at the flag-off last Friday, in Abeokuta.
Owotomo, represented by the Director of Tree Crops and Rural Development Services, Mr James Oyeshola, explained that the initiative was aimed at empowering farmers economically and increasing agricultural output.
He said the two local government areas were selected because of their comparative advantage in cashew cultivation.
The commissioner assured the government remained committed to agricultural development and strengthening the food production value chain.
He explained that the distribution also aims at helping farmers recover from crop losses caused by irregular rainfall earlier in the year.
In his goodwill message, chairman of the Nigeria Cashew Association, Ogun State chapter, Mr Ganiu Adeniji, commended the government for the initiative.
Adeniji urged the beneficiaries to plant the seedlings promptly and adopt appropriate agricultural practices to ensure good yields and early maturity.
Also, the Chief Executive Officer of FAAB Ayoka Group Limited, Mrs Fausat Ibrahim, urged the government to establish a cashew processing factory in the state.
She said local processing would create employment opportunities for youths and increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Similarly, the Director of Agriculture, Abeokuta North Local Government Area, Mr Yinka Oyebade, described the initiative as a welcome development for the benefiting communities.