By Fatima Muraina

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The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agric and Agric Business, Mr Akin Olotu  has tasked farmers in the state to take steps towards  actualising the commencement  of farmers Micro Finance Bank.

He spoke at the Annual General Meeting of the Ondo  |State Agricultural Commodities Association OSACA in Akure.

He said government has released its financial support for the establishment of the micro finance bank, urging farmers to facilitate additional support before the expiration of OSACA exco tenure.

He also challenged the association including its various commodity associations under it to polish the entrepreneurial disposition which he observed was very low compared with the ijeshas, Oguns, Egbas and others.

He educated the gathering on the utilization of the government reserve area, stressing that the idea is aimed at ensuring that agric business succeeds in the state and ensure that the state security is enhanced.

His words: “Government decided to open some of these location so that we can have an organised agric business activities which will reduce it if not eradicate it totally.”

” Look at what the Ref Gold has done in the state, the oil palm value chain put together at Ore where it recorded reduction of crime rate activities.”

Earlier in his welcome speech, the state Chairman of OSACA, Mr Gbenga Obaweya appreciated the presence of stakeholders and God for witnessing another year for the meeting.

He said the association will continue to strive in encouraging farmers through its various programmes like procuring agro chemicals through its revolving funds at a subsidized rate and the launching of a Farmers Security fund in making farms more safer for farm operations.

Obaweya disclosed that an Agricultural Information Hub has been set up to capture the data of those into agric business.

He added that a land has been procured as a demonstration site and for a Green House project to further add value towards food production and sustainability.

The SMEDAN officials sensitizes participants on more trainings for them to register as SMEs which will expose them to available financial assistance and accessibility to market

 Various Directorates if the association like the Obe project, youths project and the Onion Association among many other gave a paper presentation.