The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu has disclosed that the Dr Alex Otti’s led administration will encourage export of Cocoa to other countries by farmers in the State
To this end, he has announced that the Government is working out modalities to ensure that the 16 cocoa-producing LGAs of the State are turned into producing estates for the establishment of Cocoa factories that will beef up the production capacity of the State.
Chief Emetu who stated announced this during a meeting he held with members of the Abia State Cocoa Farmers Association at Government House, Umuahia restated that the era of other States benefiting from the high production of Cocoa from the State to boost their rating at the detriment of the State will no longer be tolerated as Government will put a stop to the anomaly.
The Deputy Governor said that the Government recognizes the importance agriculture plays in the economy of any Nation, and has made other lofty promises to boost agricultural revolution in the State as according to him, any Government that is not agricultural friendly will not be a progressive one.
He described the forthcoming Cocoa Farmers Association Of Nigeria Cocoa Festival holding in Abuja as a welcome development and reassured that as Chairman of the State Cocoa Development Committee, Government will accord them all the necessary support that will enable the State to consolidate its current rating among the Cocoa producing States of the Nation.
In their remarks, the Chairman, Abia State Cocoa Farmers Association, Sir John Kalu and the State Cocoa Desk Officer, Elder Enoch Eke Kalu said they came to inform him of the choice of the State as one of the six pilot States that will represent and benefit from the 2.3 million dollars grant to assist cocoa farmers and to invite him to the Cocoa Farmers Association Of Nigeria Cocoa Festival taking place in Abuja as well as seek Government’s sponsorship for the festival in order not to lose the opportunity of benefiting from the grant.
