Ondo Farmers Get 400,000 Hybrid Cocoa, Cashew Seedlings

• Ondo Farmers Get 400,000 Hybrid Cocoa, Cashew Seedlings

Farmers in Ondo State have received 400,000 hybrid cocoa and 25,000 cashew seedlings from the state government as part of efforts to improve agriculture in the state.

The Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, made the distribution to the farmers on Friday at the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, the state capital.

While speaking at the event, the governor said the gesture was part of the move to ensure Ondo returned to its leadership position in cocoa production.

He also said all arrangements had been concluded to reposition the Akure Commodity Exchange Limited and get it listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange to begin online marketing of cocoa beans.

The distribution of the hybrid seedlings, according to him, is deliberately targeted at the rehabilitation of the various plantations in the state.

He also promised to make loans available to farmers and partner with banks to make loan easy and accessible to them.

He said, “As you are aware, cocoa is Nigeria’s number one cash crop and the second largest foreign exchange earner after petroleum.”