The Ogun State Government has said that 9, 262 farmers benefitted from the International Fund and Development (IFAD) assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in the state.
Permanent Secretary, Ogun Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Olatunbosun Mosuro, said this at a workshop in Abeokuta on Friday.
The workshop, organised by the IFAD/ VCDP in Ogun was to share knowledge of products to relevant stakeholders and MDAs.
Mosuro explained that IFAD was a Federal Government initiative to promote farming production in the state.
He said that 7,336 Cassava famers and 1,926 Rice farmers who benefitted from the programme were from 638 farmers organisation selected from the five participating local governments.
Mosuro listed the local government to include Obafemi -Owode, Yewa North, Ifo, Ijebu North East and Ijebu East local government area of the state.
He commended the IFAD-VCDP for its value chain intervention in cassava and rice production in the five local government areas.
Mosuro said that IFAD-VCDP had increased food security and promoted the standard of living of people in the rural areas.
“We appreciate the support of IFAD country office, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the National Programme Management unit in the state.
“They are playing an important role in promoting agriculture in the state especially in rice and cassava value chain.
“The programme has helped in increasing the level of agricultural achievements in the state which include construction of 20km access roads in Obafemi-Owode, Yewa North and Ijebu North East.
READ ALSO: British Police investigating cause of Prince Philip car crash — Press Association
“Construction of nine solar powered water scheme in the five participating local government areas.
“Construction of cassava processing center at Baara in Obafemi- Owode and rice processing center in Eggua, Yewa North local government,” he said.
The permanent secretary said that IFAD- VCDP had also helped in supporting 6,290 farmers with seeds/cuttings, fertilisers and agrochemicals and cleared 400 hectares of land.
He said that rice production between 2015 to 2017 increased in yield of 47 per cent for VCDP beneficiaries while cassava increased by 61 per cent.
“Agriculture is one of the cardinal programmes of the current administration because of its role in food security, employment generation and provision of raw materials for industries.
“In other to ensure smooth implementation of VCDP in the state, the governor ensured the payment of the counterpart funds of the programme for 2014 to 2018,” he said.
Mr. Samuel Adeogun, the State Programme Coordinator, VCDP, said the essence of the programme was to share knowledge among the stakeholders in the IFAD-VCDP, farmers, financial institute, off takers and inputs suppliers and even beyond.
Adeogun said the workshop was also to promote the private sector participation in agriculture.
He said that VCDP had been able to link farmers with off takers, inputs supplies, financial institutions and added value to their commodities.
“Cassava yields have increased by 61 per cent from about 10 metric tonnes per hectares to about 37.6 metric tons per hectares while rice production increased from 1.9 metric tonnes per hectares to 3.3 metric tonnes per hectares.
“I believe with this improvement, it can increase income for our farmers and also make raw materials available for industries to use,” Adeogun said.
The coordinator said that the only major challenges of VCDP farmers were access to finance and farmers/herdsmen clash.
He, therefore, urged the various arms of government to ease off the challenges in order to make them more productive, and increase food security in the country. (NAN)
