By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

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The Ondo State House of Assembly yesterday passed into law a bill for the establishment of Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Agency and other matters incidental thereto 2023.

Also passed into law was the bill to establish the Ondo State Agribusiness Empowerment Center (OSAEC) and other matters connected thereto 2023.

The passage followed the submission of a reports of the Committee on Agriculture by Gbegudu Ololade James.

Gbegudu while presenting the report  explained that the bill would make the State a leading producer of cocoa in the country, stimulate, promote and encourage farmers in the area of cocoa farming

He said necessary measures should be put in place to make the implementation of the bill a good example for other State to take a cue,while government should provide soft loans to the farmers that are interested in cocoa farming.

On the bill to establish the State Agric Business Empowerment Center, he said that it will reform and encourage unemployment youths to acquire necessary skills in Agriculture and assist in training on modern technology.

He said it will also lead to the promotion of non- traditional crops, livestock and micro livestock in the State.

The Majority Leader ,Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi while moving a motion for the bills to be move to third reading and pass into law, appreciated the Committee for a job well done, and was seconded by Dr Adeyemi Olayemi representing Akure North constituency, while the second bill was seconded by a Lawmaker representing lrele constituency, Samuel Edamisan.

Thereafter, the lawmakers unanimously agreed through a voice vote and then the Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun ruled for the bills to become law.