The Osun State Government has restated its commitment to the production of quality cocoa and other agricultural produce for the economic advancement of the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Wale Adedoyin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo on Tuesday that the government had commenced the enumeration of cocoa trees to ensure effective management.
He said that the enumeration was one of the measures put in place to boost cocoa production in the state.
According to him, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and other farmers’ unions in the state are cooperating with the government on the efforts to boost activities in the agriculture sector.
The commissioner said the enumeration would assist the government in the provision of statistics for inputs, financial support and other incentives for cocoa farmers.
He said that the government had inaugurated a committee on cocoa tree enumeration, adding that it involved all the stakeholders in cocoa production.
The commissioner said that other measures had also been worked out to boost the production of food crops in the state.
NAN

Osun State government has distributed 15,000 free hybrid oil palm seedlings to farmers in Ijebu-Jesa in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Wale Adedoyin, reiterated the commitment of the government to the provision of food through the fulfillment of its Six-Point Integral Action Plan, three of which is aimed at addressing agriculture and food security.
He said that it is the belief of the government that the institutionalized strategy put in place through the Osun Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Programme (O-REAP) is targeted at food sufficiency in the state.
Adedoyin at the programme which was facilitated by the Executive Secretary, Oriade Local Government, Taiwo Fatiregun, charged farmers in the state to make proper use of the various government supports on agricultural farm inputs.
He said that opportunities abound for free crops for 2014 planting season, such as the distribution of 500,000 cocoa seedlings free to cocoa farmers, sale of 25,000 cashew seedlings at N50.00 per seedling and the sale of 64,000 hybrid oil palm seedling at N100.00 each.
The commissioner added that the loan facility provided to cocoa farmers, the sales of agro-chemical at 50 per cent subsidy to farmers and the distribution of kola nut and bitter kola seedlings free of charge to farmers are all done to  make the state secure in terms of food production.
In his address, the organizer of the event, who is also the Executive Secretary, Oriade Local Government Council, Taiwo Fatiregun, thanked all the invited guests and urged the farmers to make proper use of the hybrid oil palm seedlings so that the council will become a hub of food production in the State of Osun.
He then appreciated the state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for creating the enabling environment for the executive secretaries in the state to contribute their quota to move the state forward.
The Secretary, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Oriade Local Government Chapter, Alhaji Sule Aresa, on behalf of his colleagues, expressed his appreciation to the state government for the good gesture and advised farmers to reciprocate the kind gesture by making proper use of the various agricultural support which the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola has extended to farmers in the state to ensure food sufficiency for the teeming citizens of the state.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

Following the outstanding performance of ministries, departments and agencies of government and discovery of new drive to increase internally generated revenue (IGR) in Osun State, the State House of Assembly has increased the 2014 budget estimate by N18billion.
The governor, Rauf Aregbesola had sent a budget estimate of N216 billion to the House for approval but following the recommendation of House Committee on Finance and Appropriation it has been increased to N234 billion. The House Committee on Finance and Appropriation had earlier recommended the increase during its deliberations on the budget and the House at its plenary okayed the increase.
Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon Kamil Oyedele, while presenting the report of his committee to the House explained the adjustments made on the drafts budget, adding that the changes effected were done after proper consultations with the Office of Budget and Economic Planning and the Ministry of Finance.
According to him, in the course of the budget defence by the ministries, the committee observed new drive to improve internally generated revenue and the resolve of Aregbesola’s administration to reduce over dependence on resources expected from the federation account.
He added that government intends to fund some of its developmental projects listed in the 2014 budget by using resources accruable to the state through Internal and External Funds and Credits.
LEADERSHIP

The Chairman, Osun State Agricultural Development Corporation (OSSADEC), Engr. Solagbade Atanda Oladepo, has commended the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola over his continuous support  to farmers in the state especially by granting them agricultural loan.
He disclosed this at the first meeting of the board for the year 2014, which held at the Conference Room of the Corporation.
He used the occasion to implore members of the board and the management staff of the corporation to work together for the overall success of the agency adding that, members have to submit their completed code of conduct bureau forms on time.
Engr. Oladepo assured farmers that, they will soon benefit from the agricultural loan and asked for their support and cooperation with the present administration.
Speaking at the occasion, the Acting General Manager, Mr. Kayode Olanipekun said that, banishing hunger and poverty, creating wealth and employment are part of the Six-Point Integral Action Plan of the present administration and assured them that, disbursement of loan will commence by May 2014.
Mr. Olanipekun stated further that, the State Government of Osun under Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola had procured agro-processing equipment such as Cassava Chipping Machine, Grain Processing Machine, Multi-Grain Thresher, Rice Reaper and Yam Flour processing machine for sale to women and youths at 40% subsidy.
He also informed the meeting that, the State Government had further approved a 15% subsidy on agricultural implements such as Harrow, Plough, Rigger and Tipping Trailer which are available for sale at the Cooperation headquarters along Ilobu road.
OSUN NEWS

Osun State government has reiterated to continue to promote proper sanitation and hygiene to guarantee sustainable environment in the state.
Wife of the Osun State governor, Alhaja Serifat Aregbesola, stated this while performing bi monthly sanitation exercise that took place in Ilesa, last Saturday.
Alhaja Aregbesola, who emphasised the need for the people of the state to take the exercise with all seriousness, said sustainability of the environment was key to good living.
She lauded the people of Ilesa for their turnout for the exercise, maintaining that proper sanitation would free them from all forms of diseases.
She further urged people of the state to shun unwholesome practices that could expose them to danger and environmental degradation.
In her welcome speech, the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Professor Olubukola Oyawoye said the exercise was aimed at increasing awareness of the people on the attendant benefits of sanitation and healthy living.
Professor Oyawoye urged the people of the state to imbibe the culture of healthy living to justify  huge investment of government in the area of sanitation and environmental sustainability.
Oyawoye maintained that government efforts in the promotion of friendly environment had yielded positive result as the state had not recorded any case of cholera in the recent time.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the governor on Environment and Sanitation, Mr Bola Ilori ,recounted efforts of government in forestalling flood in the state through its dredging of rivers and streams.
Ilori warned those who were engaging in dumping of refuse in unauthorised places to desist from the act, noting that any person caught would face the music.
The special Adviser, who called on people of the state to always observe the bi-monthly exercise which is for their betterment, said henceforth, government would not spare the violator of order.
At the exercise were the General Manager, Osun State Waste Management Agency (OSWMA), Alhaji Ganiyu Oyeladun, wife of the commissioners in the state, the Leader, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, among others.
TRIBUNE