Determined to mitigate harsh effects of coronavirus pandemic, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN yesterday flagged off year 2020 agriculture season in the state by distributing newly purchased tractors and loans to farmers.
The governor, however, distributed 20 tractors with viable implements and soft loans to farmers in the state.
Speaking at the event with limited numbers of people due to COVID-19, Akeredolu stated that this year event was the first of its kind, maintaining that it was the demonstration of the government’s avowed promise to agriculture sector.
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Akeredolu also noted that the tractors would help the farmers to embark on farming activities with ease.
The governor also appreciated the Ondo State Agricultural commodity Association (OSACA) for the huge donations to farmers across the state as it was one of the greatest feats of the government.
He said: “You can see we are not many here, and we have set protocol in place how we can stay in the public.
“We have milestones of achievements over the years on agriculture in Ondo State, and we are doing our best in Ondo State.
“We have decided to embark on several measures to boost sufficient food production for the residents because the effect of the pandemic is obvious to us all.”
Earlier, Commissioner of Agriculture, Otunba Gboyega Adefarati, appreciated the governor for his enormous contributions to agriculture sector, saying “let me use this occasion to express appreciation to our amiable governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his supports at all times towards the development of agriculture despite the little resources available in the state”
He went on: “I am happy to inform you that Ondo State is one of the states to benefit three world Bank projects namely: livelihood improvement family enterprise-Niger Delta to the tune of 10million USD, livestock productivity.
and resilience support project (L-pres) gulping 200million USD for 15 states and FAO grants of 3million USD for cocoa and oil Palm value chains for Nigeria.”
In his votes of thanks, Rev Oluleye Gideon, the Chairman Poultry Association of Nigeria Appreciated the Arakunrin Akeredolu for extending hands of help to the farmers of the state.
He also thanked the Commissioner of Agriculture for his immense support to the farmers in the state.
However, one of the beneficiaries of the palliative, Ayo Omogie extolled the kind gestures of the governor for identifying with the farmers in the state.
NAN