By Ademola Orunbon
A total of 12,626 farmers in Ogun State have been trained on improved production technology for cassava and rice, under the FGN/OGSG/IFAD Assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP).
This was disclosed during the presentation of the progress report to the State Value Chain Steering Committee (SVCSC) Chaired by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, through the Acting State Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Temitope Ajisafe at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Ajisafe added that a total of 12,116 small holder farmers have 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 twenty one culverts and six bridges as well as five processing unit with stores were also constructed in the period.
Speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Bolu Owotomo said that the VCDP’s programme development objective was to enhance a sustainable basis incomes and food security for poor rural households engaged in the production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava in nine (9) States including Ogun.
Owotomo commended the programme for efficiently and effectively managing the resources, adding that more effort should be made to ensuring the deepening of participating Local Government in the programme.
The Commissioner harps on the need for increase productivity, promising that more land would be made available for farmers.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Samuel Adeogun appreciated the team, advised the use of ICT for the youth, while enjoining them to improve communication and interaction among the different stakeholders in the state engaged 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.
