Ogun State Government says it has invested over N2.25Billion with the support from relevant partners to boost aquaculture, towards ensuring food security, job creation, and sustainable livelihood.
Governor Dapo Abiodun who made this known during the official flag off of Fish Harvest at Ijako-Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the State, added that his administration was reducing undue dependence on imports and positioning the State as a leader in inland aquaculture.
Abiodun who was represented by his Deputy Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, noted that the event was not just about harvesting fish, rather it was about celebrating real cultivation and people-focused progress in the state
He appreciated the World Bank and the OGSTEP team for their continued support as well as commitment towards improving the livelihood of its citizenry.
"Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) was developed to strengthen our economy through strategic investments in agriculture. In aquaculture alone, we have supported over 3,400 fish farmers across the State. Each farmer received 72 bags of high-quality feed, with the government subsidising 30 percent of the cost. In total, more than 179,000 bags have been distributed, representing an investment of around ₦2.25 billion", he noted
Abiodun stressed that agriculture was a serious economic enterprise, noting that his administration remains committed to scaling the cluster model across the State, continue to provide access to finance, inputs, infrastructure, markets, and technology, all in bid to make Ogun State the preferred destination for agribusiness in Nigeria.
He charged the Ministry of Agriculture to fast-track the development of the proposed Processing Zone in the area, as the process would further increase value and reduce post-harvest losses.
Similarly,Chief Economic Adviser and the State Commissioner for Finance/Chairman Project Steering committee OGSTEP, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo stated that the programme underscores the importance of agriculture, especially Aquaculture, saying it would not only help to boost food production but serve as a reservoir for fish farmers in Igidaduro Abule Ewipe fish farm as well as create more jobs for youths.
Okubadejo who was represented by the State Commissioner for Budget and Planning/Chairman Project Technical Committee OGSTEP, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan,
also reiterated the State Government’s commitment in supporting agricultural initiatives and partner relevant stakeholders with a view to growing the State economy through food production as well as create more job opportunities for youths.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon Bolu Owotomo said the OGSTEP aquaculture value chain initiative has significantly impacted fish farming across the four Zones , aggregating approximately 3,400 beneficiary farmers statewide with government supplying over 179,000 bags of fish feed to fish farmers in the past 18 months.
He explained that the Trusted Fish Cluster in Ijako Isorosi with about 700 beneficiary farmers managing 983 ponds have received approximately 27,000 bags of feed, averaging 72 bags per farmer ,while 30 per cent matching grant support on fish feed averaging #864,000 per farmer with total intervention cost in the cluster estimated at 340 ,million naira, adding that the expected harvest from these beneficiaries was around 700 tonnes , projected to generate 1.9 billion in sales revenue.
Responding, the Project Coordinator OGSTEP, Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odusi said noted that the flag-off of the fish harvest was not just celebration of hard work but a testimony to what could be achieved when the right structures are in place describing the successes recorded as largely due to the unwavering support received from the Ogun State Government and other stakeholders.
Representing the Olota of Ota, Oba Prof. Abdulkabir Obalanlege, the Onibudo of Ibudo, Oba Dr. Odutola Adewunmi, commended the State Government for its strides in agriculture and other sectors, saying it shows his commitment to good governance.
On his part , the Managing Director of the Value Chain Development Firm (VCDF) , Ilaro Zone , Mr Akinremi Osijo advocated the need for farmers to add value to their product and look for more advance methods of breeding their fishes to increase production.
In his remarks, the Cluster Chairman, Mr. Ebenezer Jinadu, expressed appreciation to the State Government and the World bank for the laudable initiative, saying before the programme, most fish farmers have closed businesses but the intervention had helped to resuscitate their businesses, while seeking more government support in building processing zone as well as help fix road so as to enable them convey their produces to the market.
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