By Precious Oluwole

The Ondo State House of Assembly has passed into law a bill for the establishment of Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Agency and other matters incidental thereto 2023.

The House also passed into law, the bill to establish the Ondo State Agribusiness Empowerment Center (OSAEC) and other matters connected thereto 2023.

This followed the submission of reports of the House Committee on Agriculture, presented by Hon. Gbegudu Ololade James at a plenary presided over by the speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun, on Tuesday.

Gbegudu revealed that the bill would make the State a leading producer of cocoa in the country, stimulate, promote and encourage farmers in the area of cocoa farming

He stressed that necessary measures should be put in place to make the implementation of the bill a good example for other State to take a cue, while government should provide soft loans to the farmers that are interested in cocoa farming.

On the bill to establish Ondo State Agric Business Empowerment Center (OSAEC), Gbegudu opined that it will reform and encourage unemployed youths to acquire necessary skills in Agriculture and assist in training on modern technology.

He added it will also lead to the promotion of non- traditional crops, livestock and micro livestock in the State.

The majority leader of the House, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi who moved a motion for the bills to be moved to third reading and passed into law, also commended the Committee for a job well done. It was seconded by Hon. Adeyemi Olayemi while the bill to establish OSAEC was seconded by Hon. Samuel Edamisan.

Thereafter, the lawmakers unanimously agreed through a voice vote and then, the Speaker ruled for the bills to become law.