Cocoa association lauds Aregbesola’s agribusiness reforms

The Cocoa Association of Nigeria, Osun State chapter, has lauded Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s initiatives at enhancing commodity business in the state.

Specifically, the association said the various efforts at raising the production profile of cocoa in the state have been commendable and could make Osun to match up with other cocoa growing states in the country.

Already, the association has commenced the distribution of chemicals to boost cocoa production across the state.

The body, in a release signed by its Deputy Chairman, Board of Trustees and Zonal ‎Secretary Oyo/Osun zones, Dr. Bola Otunla and. John Alalade, respectively, directed the procurement and the distribution of chemicals to cocoa farmers.

Otunla noted that the gesture was borne out of the association’s support for the government of Aregbesola, who has been rendering yearly support to cocoa farmers in the state.

He stressed that the association felt that the time to reciprocate the Governor’s yearly gesture is by coming to the aid of the state by ensuring that the assistance to farmers continue unabated in the face of the financial challenges being faced by the administration.

According to him, “it gives me great pleasure to inform you that the state chapter of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria has started the distribution of fungicide and insecticide to cocoa farmers in Osun with effect from the first week of July, 2015.

“The initial consignment has come and been distributed and it will continue until the end of the rainy season in 2015.
“This is to ensure that we match up with other cocoa growing states in the South-West, especially our competitor in Ondo state”.