FG Boosts Osun Cashew Farmers With Tonnes Of Hybrid Brazilian Jumbo Nuts
By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA
Two tonnes Of Hybrid Brazilian Jumbo Cashew Nuts have been distributed to farmers in Osun State, as part of palliative to cushion the effect of coronavirus pandemic in the state.
The provision of cashew seeds to serve as palliative was disclosed by the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon Nanono Sabo at the presentation and distribution ceremony held at the Secretariat, National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), Osun State Chapter, Iwo Town.
The minister, who was represented by the Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Osun State office, Engr. Sunday Atoyebi stressed that the impression was to showcase the efforts of the federal government towards enhancing abundant food security in the country, also to empowering and intimating the cashew farmers with the real hybrid cashew nuts.
He disclosed: “We are not just distributing ordinary cashew nuts, but we are distributing hybrid cashew seeds named Brazilian Jumbo that has improved cashew seeds which if we have them in multiplication in the state, it can enhance maximum profits to Osun cashew farmers.
“We have seen the efforts of cashew farmers in the past, the ministry of agriculture has contacts in other states for all the value chained crops among which cashew is one.
“Through our statistics, we can see that cashew farmers in Osun are competing favourably with other farmers in the country. So the minister acceding to their prayers gave them this to improve their production and get maximum output from little effort.”
He therefore advised the cashew farmers in the state not just to dump the donated seeds but handle them with care, and also follow the normal agronomic practices to ensure good planting, development and maintenance that will ensure maximum production.
Speaking earlier, the Osun Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security Hon. Adedayo Adewole appreciated the efforts of both the federal and state government for their unalloyed support to the farmers in the state to improve agricultural production so that food would be in abundance in the state.
Also, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Mashood Adeoti also appreciated the federal and state government for the good gesture shown the farmers in the state, while he urged them to go back to farming business to safe the state from negative effects of Covid-19.
Moreover, in his welcome address, the Chairman, National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), Osun State chapter, Alhaji Safiriyu Ola Aremu, appreciated the federal and state government for the giant stride and stated further that this is the first time the state cashew farmers will be considered for such a good gesture.
Alhaji Ola Aremu also used the medium to appeal to the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security Hon Adedayo Adewole to connect the Association to the activities of
International market and at the same time have access to federal government’s agric loan facilities.
He stated further that members of cashew farmers in the state are hardworking, honest, and reliable for recommendation of the state government loan.
In the same vein, Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Alhaji Suleiman Araokanmi gave kudos to the federal government and Governor of Osun State for the provision of cashew seeds to the farmers.
Highlight of the events is the presentation of Hybrid Brazilian Jumbo cashew nuts to the state government through the Commissioner for Agriculture and later to the Chairman, National Cashew Association of Nigeria before the distribution exercise to the benefitting farmers.
