Ogun distributes 5,000 improved kolanut seedlings to farmers

Ogun State Government has distributed 5,000 improved Kolanut seedlings to farmers across the state towards scaling production of the commodity in the state.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye said the up-scaling is necessary as many Kolanut trees are not only old to bear fruits but have very low yield capacity.

She added that the promotion of the seedling is a collaboration between the state and the Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC), which will ensure that beneficiaries are trained and monitored for optimum Kolanut production.

Ogunleye charges farmers to make good use of the opportunity to replace their old Kolanut trees, with new seedlings that have a gestation period of four to five years, against the 15 years of old trees.

Earlier, the Director General of the RMRDC, Professor Hamid Ibrahim said the Ministry is out to promote sustainable production of Kolanut in the state, as well as stimulate investment opportunities in the entire Kolanut Value Chain.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the chairman, Kolanut and Bitter Kola Association of Nigeria, Ogun State branch, Mr. Segun Soyola thanked the state government for the kind gesture, adding that it will attract younger farmers to their fold.