Ogun State Government has assured more farmers of availability of lands, to enable them cultivate and plant variety of farm produce , as part of measures to boost food production for human consumption and agro-allied industries
The State Commissioner for Agriculture Development and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo gave the assurance during the presentation of the progress report by the State Value Chain Steering Committee (SVCSC).
The Commissioner, who doubles as the Chairman of the Committee stated that provision of essential needs of farmers are paramount in agricultural development of the present administration.
He noted that the VCDP's programme development objective was to enhance a sustainable source of income and food security for poor rural households engaged in the production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava in nine States including Ogun.
Hon. Owotomo commended the efforts of the programme coordinator and staffers for efficiently and effectively managing the resources given to them, adding that more effort should be made to ensure the deepening of participating Local Governments in the programme.
The Acting State Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Temitope Ajisafe during her presentation, said a total of 12,626 farmers in the State had benefitted from training on production technology for cassava and rice, under the FGN/OGSG (IFAD ASSISTED) Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP)
Ajisafe added that 12,116 smallholder farmers also adopted at least one technology promoted by the programme with 6,287 farmers benefiting from the matching grants for production input, provided with recommended rate of seeds, fertilizer and agro chemical, while 4,862 youth farmers were trained in spraying techniques and other enterprises between 2019 and 2023.
The acting Coordinator said further that 1,283 farmers organisations received VCDP supported extension services while 2,320 people in the programme communities were provided adequate access to safe and sustainable drinking water in the period under review, adding that 21 culverts and six bridges, as well as five processing units with stores were also constructed in the period.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Samuel Adeogun appreciated the team, advised it to take advantage of Information and Communication Technology to engage the youth in farming, while enjoining them to improve communication and interaction among the different stakeholders in the state that involved in cassava and rice value chains.
Others who attended the meeting were, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Leke Otegbeye, State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, Chairperson of Ijebu East Local Government, Mrs. Adetutu Oyesanya, Chairman of Ijebu North East, Hon. Foluso Badejo and other stakeholders.
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