Ogun Govt Assures Rubber Producers , Processors, Marketers Of Continuous Support To Grow Economy

Ogun State Government has assured members of the National Rubber Producers , Processors and Marketers' Association of Nigeria ( NARPPMAN) Southwest Zone of government's continuous   support in using rubber production to boost the economy.

    

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security , Honourable Bolu Owotomo  gave the assurance in his office in Oke - Mosan, Abeokuta  while  receiving members of the association led by its Vice President, Southwest Zone , Evangelist Jeremiah Oluwatosin

He  noted that despite the state's strong focus on food security ,government would not neglect the rubber sector, describing it as vital to economic diversification .

    

 The commissioner assured that government would consider the association's request for   land  to cultivate rubber, acknowledging  the potential economic benefits and job creation opportunities that the industry could bring to the region.

Owotomo explained that access to agricultural land had become more difficult due to urbanization, stressing that more people now depend on land for survival urging stakeholders and individuals requesting for land for to do so in moderation to ensure optimal utilisation of available agricultural land.

   

 The commissioner highlighted some of the government's achievements in the Agricultural sector , particularly in fishery development revealing that over 5,000 fish farmers had been registered under the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System, with about 3,600 of them benefiting from a 30 per cent discount on fish feed throughout their production cycle.

 " Beyond that, we are constructing 100,000-capacity pens in Odeda, 20,000- capacity pens in Ajegunle, 10,000-capacity pens in Ijebu-igbo and another 10,000-capacity pens in Ipokia . In addition , we are also building a 10,000-capacity cold room at Eriwe for fish farmers", he said.

 

Also  speaking, the Vice President of NARPPMAN, Evangelist Oluwatosin who revealed that the association currently has a membership base of about 1000 in Ogun State alone, the expressed the group's determination to make the Southwest a model for rubber production in Nigeria , hence its decision to seek land allocation from government for the cultivation of rubber trees.

According to him, expanding rubber plantations in Ogun and other Southwest Zone would attract more rubber-based companies to establish businesses in the states adding that such investments would not only boost industrial activities but also create employment opportunities for residents.

 

" If individuals are able to plant more rubber in the state alongside what is already in existence, then more rubber-based companies will be encouraged to set up in the state. This will significantly expand the job market and strengthen the economy," Oluwatosin said.

   

He commended the state government for its various developmental strides across different sectors, while expressing optimism that the collaboration between NARPPMAN and Ogun State would further enhance the agricultural value Chain and economic growth.