Osun State Coordinator, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Ayodele S.E. has lauded the administration of Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke for its drive towards making the State the pride of other states in Nigeria in the area of food production and sufficiency .
Mr Ayodele made this known while on a courtesy call on the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Otunba Tola Faseru in his office.
The NEPC Osun State boss particularly thumbed up Ademola Adeleke led administration for its drive in reviving the age old fame of Osun being one of the leading cocoa producing states in Nigeria.
While imploring the state to maintain the trend, Mr Ayodele also told the Commissioner the desirability of the need for all Cocoa farmers in the state to be sensitised about the new European Union (EU) stance on deforestation in the cocoa value chain.
He expressed happiness that Exporters are now, on a daily basis, getting ready and working with farmers to show traceability of raw materials for Agriculture with a view to building a sustainable food system in the country.
According to the NEPC helmsman in Osun state, the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) has been officially notified about the forthcoming stakeholders’ engagement meeting, which Osun state is going to play a very prominent role.
Responding, Otunba Tola Faseru described the visit not only as timely but strategically important for the effective realization of the laudable plans of Ademola Adeleke led administration in Agriculture aimed at ensuring food sufficiency and security throughout the state.
Otunba Faseru told the NEPC delegation of the readiness of Osun to key into all the aims and objectives of the agency by creating an enabling environment .
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Moruf Olawale while welcoming the NEPC said since the inception of Adeleke led administration, Osun State has made it’s impact felt productively in the area of Agriculture as its practitioners enjoy the best of time through the provision of necessary facilities for them.
The Director, Tree Crops Department ,Mr Olatunbosun Olakeun in his remarks told the NEPC team of the strong database of cocoa farmers throughout the state, a development, which he described as very rare to come by throughout Nigeria.
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