The Abia Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, has disclosed that the present administration is determined in its resolve to leave no stone unturned to achieve success in Cocoa production.
Sir Oko Chukwu stated this when a delegation of Cocoa Farmers Association Of Nigeria led by its National President, Comrade Adeola Adegoke paid him a courtesy visit at Govt House, Umuahia.
He disclosed that Governmentt is doing everything possible to reverse the downward trend of Abia rating among the Cocoa producing States of the country by encouraging Cocoa farmers in the State.
The Deputy Governor further announced that in a bid to ensure that Cocoa farmers get the best out of their efforts in producing and processing their produce, Government has resolved to embark on value production as well as encourage farmers to replant some of the wild Cocoa in their farms having recognized that in order to achieve its objectives in their Agricultural pillar ,
they must do well in Cocoa production.
He disclosed that Government is also collaborating with the National Institute for Root Crop Research, Umudike in liason with the Cocoa Farmers Association Of Nigeria to get the best breed in Cocoa production by procuring fumicides, pesticides and other farming implements.
Earlier in his address, the National President of Cocoa Farmers Association Of Nigeria, Comrade Adeola Adegoke who stated that they are in the State to interface and identify with the giant strides of the Governor not only in the Cocoa industry, but in other spheres of development, promised to collaborate with Govt to give the necessary tools for farmers to thrive in Cocoa business.
He used the forum to inform the State Government that a Round Table Conference on Cocoa will be held in Abia State on the 24th of November this year on how to produce premium Cocoa among others.
The SSG, Mr Chris Ezem, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Osuji, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Sir Don Ubani and other top Govt Officials were present during the visit.
