The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, has assured the management of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) that he will make acres of land available and source for the needed logistics to ensure the smooth take off of a Cocoa plantation in his determination to ensure economic development and investment promotion in Ibadan land, Oyo State.
Oba Ladoja gave the assurance in a remark while playing host to the management team of CRIN whom he invited to deliberate on the possibility of establishing a modern cocoa plantation, that can stand the test of time, through modern agricultural technologies and techniques.
The monarch, who expressed gratitude to the management of CRIN for honouring his invitation, said the ancient city must take advantage of its vast land and closeness to cocoa experts in the city to create a vast economy in the interest of the residents.
Ladoja said: “We are lucky to be in the forest region where cocoa plantation can thrive considering our favourable climatic condition, and many agricultural experts surrounding us, particularly the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria.
“On our part, we will make acres of land readily available and source for the needed logistics to ensure the smooth take off of the project to its successful completion.”
Speaking earlier, the Acting Executive Director of CRIN, Dr Adedeji Rasheed, thanked the Olubadan and his council members for the opportunity given the institute to play its role in the agricultural development of Ibadan land and Oyo State as a whole.
He noted that the agricultural plans of the Olubadan of Ibadan land will be successfully implemented as desired.
Adedeji requested for necessary logistics such as expanse of land, farm imputes and other necessary resources for the implementation of the project.