Osun State Empowers 30 Cocoa Farmers With N5m Loan

Not less than 30 cocoa farmers on Wednesday, July 29, benefited from the loan facilities provided by Osun State Government. This is regarded as a means of supporting farmers and promoting agriculture in the state. According to the Osun State government, as reported by Vanguard, the loan was aimed at boosting cocoa production and increase the farmers’ yields for this year’s growing and harvesting season. A statement issued by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s Spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, stated that the General Manager, Osun Micro-Credit Agency, Mr. Dayo Babaranti, said similar gesture had recently been extended to cassava and tomatoes farmers in the State. According to him, the agency was determined to support the economy of the state as it is ready to revive micro, small and medium scale enterprises. In his words, “We are here to distribute N5millon loan to 30 individual cocoa farmers in the four major cocoa growing councils in the State, namely Ilesa-West, Ilesa-East, Atakunmosa-West and Atakumosa-East respectively. “This support is given to farmers for them to purchase chemicals and other things they need to spray and prevent cocoa from infections that usually to reduce their productions ahead of this year’s growing season.” While responding on behalf of others, Mr. Ajibade Moshood, the Chairman, Agbewumi Cocoa Group, commended the commitment of the state government to revamp agriculture. Moshood, who assured of the timely repayment of the loan, said, “We shall use the fund for the purpose it was meant for.”