By Fatima Muraina

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Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has laid the foundation of cocoa and plantain factory at Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state.

The Governor who was represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Olayato Aribo reiterated government’s determination to provide enabling environment for business to thrive and to attract investors into the state.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Press Officer to the Ministry, Mr Sola Omoboyowa which was made available to The Hope in Akure.

The project, according to the statement, said it was initiated by the Cocoa and Plantain Farmers Association of Nigeria, CPFAN, to add value to cocoa and plantain production in Nigeria to meet international market demands.

The Governor also called on other commodities’ associations to emulate CPFAN by establishing such project to make farm produce valuable, saying farmers will benefit more because there is market for their products.

He also promised the state’s cooperation with all farmers to meet its target on food security and sustainability.

In his remarks, the Alara of Ilaramokin, Oba Abiodun Adefehinti congratulated the people of the community for having the factory sited in his domain and called on farmers to increase their production, saying there is market for their farm produce.

Earlier, the National President of the association, Ayodele Ojo explained that the factory is established to bring together all the value chains in cocoa and plantain production.