By Fatima Muraina

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The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammadu Sabo Nanono has promised to include Ondo State on the Special Intervention Fund for Cocoa Development.
He made the promise at the inauguration of the National Secretariat of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
He said the federal government had distributed 300,000 hybrid cocoa seedlings to farmers in four geopolitical cocoa producing zones.
Nanono also stated that some other agricultural inputs were also distributed to the farmers as part of efforts to develop the agriculture sector, increase production, and encourage cocoa farmers.
He said: “The ministry has so far distributed over 300,000 improved hybrid cocoa seedlings to Southwest, South-south, North Central and South-east regions. Also, about 350 cartons of Ultimax-plus were distributed last year to the South-south and South-east regions’ roll-out.
“The 500units of Solo pumps were also distributed to cocoa farmers aimed at increasing cocoa production from the present 250,000 metric tons to 350,000 metric tons.”
“The FMARD also recently procured growth enhancers, fungicides (Ultimax plus) and insecticides (Avesthrin), which were being distributed to cocoa farmers at subsidised rates to enhance production alongside the support of solar cocoa collapsible driers to cocoa commodity associations.”
He urged farmers’ association to continue contributing meaningfully to increase production and productivity despite “daunting challenges so as to move cocoa production to a desirable level and improve the livelihood of our cocoa farmers and other actors in the value chain.”
Earlier, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN has called for the need to include Cocoa and Chocolate drinks to the National School feeding program.
The Governor, who emphasized the health benefits of cocoa in enhancing the brain functions in the pupils was represented at the occasion by the State Deputy Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa .
He stated that the state have been producing premium cocoa beans at the Oda cocoa farm which is used in producing the award winning 70percent Oda single Estate Chocolate Bars.
He said the state cocoa revolution initiative addresses the production and distribution of improved cocoa varieties which produces higher yield, early maturing ,low fruiting and easy to harvest.
The state he said has embarked on rehabilitation of old and moribund cocoa farms while also venturing into new plantation development.
” A good example is our resolve to established 2,000 ha model farm at Ijugbere campb, Ilale via Owo, he said.
Arakunrin Akeredolu appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ) to open more credit windows to facilitates access to funds for the teeming Youths to empower them in their various agricultural ventures..
The National Chairman of the CFAN, Mr. Adeola Adegoke,also sought more assistance from the government in the area of cocoa inputs subsidisation for his members farmers.