Fatima Muraina

Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have applauded Ondo State Agricultural Commodities Association, OSACA, for organising the International Agric Show and Food Fair, OSIAFFA, in the state.
Speaking at interviews with The Hope, they described the first international agricultural fair as commendable which has set up agricultural development.
Ondo State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Antony Otuonye said the fair had brought some stakeholders and those with similar ideas, aims and objectives together for networking.
He said his organisation has been able to showcase its activities, calling on farmers to get information on what they need and what the ministry can offer them.
According to him, the agric and food fair was a starting point for higher activities as he advised the organizers to attract more international communities.
” Farmers should be self reliant. We expected farmers to exhibit their products which they did not.
“Farmers should take farming as a business instead of relying on free land, inputs and many others,” he said.
Mr Adebisi Ayobami who is into oil and chemicals from Ibadan urged the organizers to expand the fair to bring in more exhibitors and people.
The plantation Manager of Araromi Oil Palm PLC, Mr Antony Utulu John advised on for more publicity and introduction of shuttle buses at a reduced price to transport people to and from the venue of the fair.
The consultant with IFAD Life ND, Mr Akin Oluwalade observed the need to encourage more people to participate, calling on farmers, producers and the private sector to come and showcase what they have.