From Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo

Osun State Government says it is putting plans in place to diversify its economy into agriculture and mining as part of its post COVID-19 economic revival strategies.

This was disclosed through a Press Statement by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, after the fifth virtual State Executive Council meeting, held on Monday.

Egbemode announced that the State Executive Council agreed to empower 5,764 farmers to grow cassava, cotton and engage in fish farming, with the help of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

According to her, twelve (12) Local Government Areas have also earmarked  about 2000 hectares of agricultural land in addition to the existing Farm Settlements across the State.

Speaking on the State’s immediate agricultural intervention, she said: “On Thursday May 21, the State will be flagging off its planting season. It has already moved farming equipment into its Ila Farm Settlement”.

“At the launching, the State Government will be distributing improved seedlings, pesticides and herbicides, knapsack sprayers, among other things,  to  improve yields of farmers in the state. The State Government will also train 1000 farmers in  specialized farming”, she added.

While speaking on illegal mining in the state, she noted that the State Government is  planning to maximize the sector and reap maximum benefit from it.