Have Attitudinal Change Towards Loan Repayment - EKSG Advises Farmers

Cocoa farmers in Ekiti State have been advised to have attitudinal change towards loan repayment in order to get better soft loan packages from the government. The advice was given to the farmers by the Hon Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Kehinde Odebunmi while the association was on familiarization visit to the commissioner's office in Ado Ekiti. The cocoa farmers led by the southwest President of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria CFAN, Mr Ayodele, in company of association's chairmen across the sixteen local government of the state visited to have an acquittance with the new commissioner of the ministry. Odebunmi charged the farmers to be sincere with themselves and government, saying the inability of farmers in the state to repay loan gotten from the government is a major factor militating against the revolvement of the funds. Odebunmi also frowned at the fragmentation of Cocoa farmers' Apex body in Nigeria, saying internal bickering within the associations is affecting the government. Odebunmi said, " internal bickering within the farmers' associations is affecting the government. We are not happy about the division in the apex body of cocoa farmers; please try and put your house in order." Responding, the State Chairman of the association, Mr Ibitoye Francis, thanked the Mr Governor for making available to the association N10million to be accessed. He promised on behalf of the farmers never to default in loan repayment, saying cocoa farmers are not defaulters of loans. He said loan gotten from the government will be paid as and when due. He begged the government to make chemicals available to them on time. The chairman said the timely intervention of this administration has moved Ekiti from 7th to 4th position among the cocoa producing states in Nigeria. He assured the commissioner that the internal bickering will be put to rest very soon. Reacting, Hon Kehinde Odebunmi said the focus of Governor Ayodele Fayose is on agriculture, and he will do everything possible within the ambit of the state's resources to revive the sector, and make it the revenue generating hub for the state. "This administration is determined to help you, but you must also strive to help the government. We will do all what we can to assist you. Chemicals, other agricultural inputs, and loan needed will be made available before the next planting," Odebunmi said. The Ministry and the farmers later agreed to engage the services of Loan Repayment Firm to help recoup the loan from farmers after disbursement.