The Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State has begun the sale of 20,000 oil palm and cocoa seedlings to farmers in the area.

The flag-off ceremony took place at the local government secretariat in Ikole-Ekiti on Friday.

Speaking at the ceremony, the chairman of the local government, Bayo Omojola, explained that 10,000 oil palm seedlings and 10,000 cocoa seedlings would be sold to farmers at a subsidised price.

Mr Omojola said that the decision of the council to invest in palm oil and cocoa seedling production was to support the food security programme of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration.

The chairman said that the government’s passion for agricultural development was to empower youths and bring the dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots.

Mr Omojola said that the seedlings would be sold to farmers, residents and individuals at a rate lower than the market price.

He said that the government also has plans to empower farmers with various farm inputs, while the aged women would be empowered with cash gifts.

“I am passionate about agricultural development, and it is equally one of the six points’ agenda of Governor Oyebanji.

“I want to urge the beneficiaries not to sell the seedlings and farm implements but make judicious use of them on their farms.

“I equally want to encourage the youth to engage in the agriculture business, because oil palm and cocoa businesses are profitable now,” he said.

In his remark, the speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, commended the chairman for his efforts to empower the farmers as well as reduce unemployment among the youth.

Mr Aribasoye, represented by his chief of staff, Olumide Aribisala, said the plan of the local government to nurse oil palm and cocoa seedlings to create wealth through agriculture was a laudable initiative.

He assured the local government of his continuous support to enhance agricultural development and the empowerment of youths in the area.

Similarly, the state commissioner for local government affairs, Folorunso Olabode, commended the efforts of the chairman and his management team.

He urged them to invest more in food production and the empowerment of youths through agriculture at the grassroots.

Mr Olabode urged the beneficiaries of the farm implements to make judicious use of the items to boost their farm products.

In this same vein, the head of administration in the local government, Olufemi Olatunji, said the beneficiaries of the empowerment were farmers who are indigenes of the council.

Mr Olatunji said the farmers were selected from various communities and wards based on their commitment to the development of agriculture.

He advised the farmers to make good use of the seedlings to create wealth for themselves and their families.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Onise of Odo-Oro Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Jemilehin, commended the chairman for his initiative and prayed God to give him wisdom to pilot the affairs of the council.

300 selected farmers were empowered with sprayer machines, herbicides, cutlasses and files, treated maize seedlings and rain boots, while 50 selected aged women were given cash gifts at the occasion.

(NAN)