A CHIEFTAIN of the APC in Ondo State, Hon. Idowu Adebusuyi has applauded the bold steps of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on the move to transform the state agricultural sector.
This came to the fore while commenting on the recently inaugurated commitee for the European union deforestation regulations compliance and raising alarm for the need for tree planting policies in the state.
The commissioner 1 ondo state house of Assembly commission, while commending the commitment of the Governor over the improvement of the agriculture productivities, raised the need for the state government to also enact policies to tackle climate change effect, particularly tree planting.
He noted that, in order for us to have sustainable environment for continuous agricultural practices, there must be a fight against climate change and this can only be achieve through tree planting, to acquire what is called forestation.
” The state government must come up with strict policies, that mandate each building in the state to have a tree in the compound, I know this may be a little bit challenging to both government and individuals, but in that way, we can have a sustainable growth in our environment to tackle the effects of climate change to Agriculture”
” I have said this in several times that Government should also have a forest reserve that all kind of trees will be planted, that alone will go a long way in even increasing the state carbon credit” he said.
The former lawmaker advised the committee, trusting their expertise by carrying out their responsibilities to transform the state in agriculture, most especially the area at which Ondo state is best known for ” cocoa Farming”.
The Agric- bussiness expert and politician further said government should continue to support cocoa Farmers to ensure growth in our economic and stability, noting that Ondo state contributes larger part in the nation cocoa economy, since it’s the largest in Nigeria among the cocoa producing states.
He said, government shouldn’t sleep over the advantage it has to encourage each Local Government to identify their area of strength in agriculture, relating to the type of soil they have in their localities. This he linked to the comparative advantage of cocoa planting in each of the local government areas.
The APC chieftain also charged the government to provide storage facilities to ensure sustainability and manufacturing for farmers most especially those dealing with perishable goods, he identified the need for the state government to collaborate with the federal government to revatilze the abandoned storage facility ( Silo) which is built along Oda road Akure.
Adebusuyi who is so concerned about the involvement of youths in Agriculture, also charged government at all levels to invest heavily on agriculture sector as a means of empowerment and job creation for the youths, saying youths must be encouraged to go into mechanized agriculture and agric-business to earn a living for sustainable development.
