The Ondo State government has promised to encourage cocoa farmers and assist them to boost their output to shore up the state’s internal revenue generation.
Commissioner for Natural Resources, Mr. Idowu Otetubi gave the assurance during a visit to some cocoa produce merchants in the state.
The Commissioner, who noted that cocoa was a main source of income in the state, said government is making concerted efforts at boosting production by providing seedlings and encouraging new set of farmers.
While noting that Ondo remains the highest Cocoa producer in the country, the Mr. Otetubi said the state would strive to maintain it’s leading position in the country.
He thanked the produce merchants for their roles in providing employment opportunities to hundreds of youths in state and encouraged them to be sincere in paying their dues to government.
He said with the dwindling allocation from the federation account, the state is looking inward to boost it’s finances, and agriculture remains a viable sector.
Some of the produce merchants however complained of some sharp practices by middlemen, saying they are losing much money through such acts.
The Commissioner however advised them to to trace the source and report to the ministry for appropriate sanctions.
