Say it will encourage economy diversification
Bernard Adegoke, the Treasurer, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, has called on government to support a first-generation commercial bank in assisting cocoa farmers with loans.
Speaking in Ibadan on Sunday, Adegoke said that the collaboration of the government with the bank in giving out loans to cocoa farmers would boost production.
“ We need the government to support us, to assist us and support the First Bank of Nigeria to help the farmers in giving us the loan,? he said.
“We all are seeing what is happening in the oil market now, oil is going to finish either we like it or not, it?s going to remain farming and if we are talking about farming we are talking about cocoa.
“If we are talking about cassava or maize or whatever, you cannot be comparing that with cocoa.??
Adegoke said that boosting cocoa production would surely help in diversifying the nation?s economy, urging government to provide the enabling atmosphere through policy formulation and regular support.
He commended the association?s hosting of a recent conference on cocoa in collaboration with the bank and said that it would enhance the capacity of the farmers in production.
He said the conference would also help the bank in understanding the various problems confronting the farmers so as to understand the form of assistance to render to them.
“It started in Oyo State here. The bank came to us that it wants to assist the farmers and we directed it to the national body of the association.
“It said it was going to help the farmers through loans and the loans needed by cocoa farmers are not a one-year loan like that of the maize or cassava farmers.
The 1st Cocoa Farmers conference sponsored by the bank in collaboration with the Cocoa Farmers Association was held last Thursday and Friday in Ibadan and was attended by cocoa farmers nationwide.
Adegoke urged farmers to make use of the opportunity judiciously while urging other banks to emulate the bank that initiated the conference to boost the nation’s economy.
