A non-governmental organisation, the Forum for Nation Builders and Social Development, has charged Osun State government to explore the economic potentials of Agriculture and Tourism in order to generate income for the state.
The NGO noted that the adverse effect of dwindling federal allocation and low Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the state would be drastically cushioned if the government could invest in agriculture and tourism which are strategic to the economic development of the state.
A communique issued at the end of an economic summit tagged: Enhancing Osun Economic Development : Agriculture and Tourism as Key Indicators, stressed the urgent need to shift the state’s focus from the monthly federal allocation to agriculture and tourism.
The communique, made available to our correspondent yesterday was signed by Ayo Odeyemi, Convener of the group, Babajide Bewaji, Chairman of the Summit Committee and Ismaeel Uthman, Secretary of the committee.
The forum recommended that the state government revamp the moribund farm settlements in the state and upgrade them into Agricultural Industrial Centres to be clustered in a community of ,5000 people who are predominantly farmers.
According to the group, the agricultural centres should have state-of-the-art amenities that entice rural dwellers to cities — internet, cable TV, night life and so on.
The forum further said that the state government should also make provision for crop mapping that will be made according to crop niche areas, and there should be mass production of crops with emphasis on production, processing and export.
According to the group the state government and indigenous entrepreneurs should work together on breeds that will attract international acceptability, as well as ensuring agriculture extension services are religiously implemented so farmers can be encouraged to imbibe modern method of farming.
The communique also suggested, “That some prayer mountains in the state, like Oke Baba Abiye in Ede and the prayer mountain in Ikoyi could also serve as good tourist sites by developing infrastructures and creating a toll fare for revenue generation. That the government should create an independent Situation Office to anchor tourism development.”
