By Fatima Muraina

Ondo State Government has said it will not displace farmers at the Ofosu forest reserve, but would integrate them for better yields and improved income.

The Senior Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo state Governor on Agric and AgriBusiness, Pastor Akin Olotu made this declaration at an interactive forum with leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Ondo state council in Akure.

He said the move was to condemn the insinuations of the alleged sales of the farmlands at Ofosu to Chinese Company by the State Government.

Pastor Olotu described the development at Ofosu as a mix up which would properly be addressed at an appropriate time.

He said government has designed a programme to bring farmers of same produce together as a cluster like how it is being practiced in developed countries.

This, he noted, will be able to meet the disabilities requirement, to get things done in the proper way and make it easier for the extension officers and other agricultural benefits get to them through one road.

“If farming is going to be properly organised, we have to do the transition moving from where we are to where we want to be.”

He called on journalists and particularly the people to urge the House of Assembly to promulgate a law to curb ritual killings in the state.

While expressing the need to sensitize and educate people on the development, Olotu called on the youths to embrace agriculture which can earn them more money than involving themselves in ritual killing.

Earlier, Chairman of NUJ, Prince Leke Adegbite, appreciated Olotu for his unrelenting efforts towards the development of Agriculture in the state.

Adegbite said the union will continue to fight against fake news as he said a task force has been constituted to protect the journalism profession.

He described Journalists in the state as thorough-bred professionals, saying false report cannot be found in the traditional media organisation.