Nigeria, Oct. 5 -- The Kwara State Government has begun distributing 10,000 improved cocoa seedlings to farmers across cocoa-producing local government areas in the state.

The seedlings, allocated to Kwara by the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), are improved planting materials capable of producing their first fruits within 18 months, according to the state government.

The distribution was flagged off at Owa Kajola in Isin Local Government Area by the Supervising Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas, who was represented by the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Mrs Funke Sokoya.

Thomas said the initiative was part of the state government's efforts to provide farmers with quality planting m...