Farmers canvass second term for Akeredolu

By Kehinde Oluwatayo
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Farmers in Ondo state especially those plying their vocation in Government Reserves have pledged their unalloyed loyalty to the state government and  called on state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to run for a second term.

   The farmers who were unanimous in their support at an interface with the State Task Force on Government Reserves under the chairmanship of the  Commissioner for Agriculture, Asiwaju Adegboyega Adefarati hinged their resolve on the Governor’s outstanding feat in terms of infrastructural development of the state within two years .

   They promised to be law abiding in  carrying out their farming activities in line with government agricultural policy and payment of their land use charge as at when due.

   The meeting which took place at the Fadama Hall in the Ministry of Agriculture in Akure was called to express government’s reservations on  reports of unwholesome activities of some people in the reserves.

    It also  enabled government to introduce the new consultant in charge of the management  and collection of dues and levies to the farmers.

   Speaking earlier, Adefarati who did not mince words on government’s determination to sanitize the sector restated government’s position against felling of Teak and Gmelina plantation, opening of new farm lands, burning of bushes and erection of permanent structures in Government Reserves by the settlers, warning that the government through the Task Force will come down heavily on any violator.

    According to the Commissioner, government is at liberty to do whatever it wants with its property, warning that anybody caught violating these instructions will be made to pay N250,000 to government coffer and lose the land to serious farmers or investors.

   “In order to nip  unwholesome activities in the bud, the state government has ordered its Task Force on Reserves to arrest anyone who violates its order, especially those selling and buying land .

    He advised the farmers against making payment to anybody except the Board of Internal Revenue.

     To make the payment more convenient for the farmers because of the distance, Adefarati advised them to pay to their camp heads who will  in turn pay to the bank in their names.

     Adefarati also used the occasion to disclose government’s plans to provide timely and useful agricultural information, rehabilitation and construction of farm roads and culverts where necessary to ease transportation of farm produce to the markets.

   While appreciating the farmers for supporting the government in its avowed commitment to make lives more abundant to the people, the Commissioner said the ministry will soon  commence the distribution of 3000 identity cards  to enhance proper identification of farmers at  the reserves.