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By Chinyere Anyanwu
Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, has emphasised the need to maximise the potential of the rubber sub-sector to strengthen the economy, boost employment opportunities and enhance foreign exchange.
Owotomo made this known at a meeting with the Managing Director, Divine Vision Cash Crop Farmers Limited, Oluwatosin Jeremiah, and the Chairman, National Rubber Producers, Processors and Marketing Association, Ogun State chapter, Mr. Oladele MacDaniel, in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta recently.
He said rubber production contributes significantly to the economy by providing job opportunities and raw materials for agro-based industries. He added that the Ilushin Rubber Estate in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area was undergoing re-organisation to set the pace for rubber production in the state.
The Commissioner, according to the Ministry’s Press Officer, Mr. Gbenga Moronfolu, noted that government was fully aware of the importance of the sub-sector and ready to partner with genuine agricultural investors.
Earlier, Evang. Jeremiah stated that the company and others were in the state to identify where they could get a steady supply of rubber and establish a plantation, expressing determination to grow and promote the rubber value chain towards improving Nigeria’s economy and secure global relevance.
He solicited government’s support for land to establish a rubber plantation, promising that his company would produce quality environmental-friendly products, in line with global best practices.
On his part, Mr. MacDaniel implored government to create avenue for giving out agricultural subsidies to rubber farmers, adding that Public-Private Partnership (PPP) should be enhanced to develop the sub-sector.
