By Fatima Muraina

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Ondo State government has promised to support farmers in actualizing their projects aimed at developing agricultural sector in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Sunday Akintomide gave the assurance in Akure while playing host to the leadership of the Ondo State Agricultural Commodities Association (OSACA).
Akintomide said the state will give necessary technical support rather than financial due to the economic crisis rocking the nation.
He urged them to intimate the ministry with their programmes, adding that they should interact with the agricultural services department among many others in actualizing and meeting the expected goals.
Earlier, Chairman of OSACA, Mr Gbenga Obaweya, while briefing management of the ministry, enumerated several programmes put in place to develop agriculture.
Among these were encouraging people on the need to do irrigation, launching of agric information hub, encouraging people on homestead farming and the ‘Obe’ project recently launched.
Obaweya appealed that the information hub which is aimed at data collection of farmers in the state should be made a prerequisite in the agricultural sector, while homestead farming should be popularized and extended into the school system.
While explaining the ‘Obe’ project recently launched, he explained that the project was to ensure that every household can produce ingredients to make at least, a pot of soup.
The launching, Obaweya stressed, showcased provision and distribution of assorted seeds of all plants like Onions, Okro, Vegetable seeds, tomato, pepper etc which are given to women for planting.
Farmers, he said, are expecting government to help through seed donations and to adopt the project as a means of empowering the womenfolk.
The OSACA leader also observed the need to celebrate the World Food Day as he called for logistics support, security and credibility among others which he said will not only be celebrated physically but visually where there will be visual exhibition and the event streamed live.