FG pilots irrigation farming in Ogun

The year 2016 will be very busy for farmers and agriculturists in Ogun state going by special interventions coming from both the Federal and State governments, including irrigation farming system, investment in training and empowerment of farmers as well as acquisition of more land clearing and preparation equipment.

A cross section of farmers and players of agribusiness that reside in Ogun state, who spoke with BusinessDay on the distribution of 305 irrigation pumps to hundreds of farmers, as part of federal government’s efforts to pilot irrigation farming system in the state, explained that the incentives would spur investors and farmers to commit more funds to agriculture next year.

Speaking at the distribution of irrigation pumps to farmers held at OGADEP Building, Idi-Aba in Abeokuta last week, governor Ibikunle Amosun noted that hundreds of irrigation pumps distributed to farmers by both federal and state governments under FADAMA agriculture Scheme is to promote and sustain dry season crop production and agricultural activities.

Governor Amosun, stated that it is important to keep the farmers in business, even during the dry seasons. He noted that the irrigation pumps would assist farmers to engage in all year farming which would eventually translate to increased gross domestic product and income, adding also that series of incentives were underway to boost agricultural production in 2016.

“This development is in line with our five cardinal agenda; increased agricultural production/industrialisation which will, in turn, alleviate poverty, incease employment generation, ensures food security among others,” he said.

“I also wish to enjoin Fadama beneficiaries receiving these pumps to strive during the 2015/2016 planting season to boost tomato and pepper production in the state in addition to others.”

Akintunde Soremi, managing director, federal government-owned Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), who spoke earlier, explained that the exercise was aimed at improving sustainable production of agricultural produce, especially vegetables and fruits, adding that the introduction of irrigation system in the state would create more wealth and jobs.

Soremi said that the investment in irrigation farming would enhance youth empowerment and employment in the agric sector and also boosts investment in aquaculture and fishery investment, saying the rhythm of farming and agribusiness in the state would change and attract more jobless youths to participate in farming and agricultural activities.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Olatunde Oguntimeyin from Okun-Owa Fadama Association in Ijebu axis, appreciated both federal and state governments for piloting the programme in Ogun state ahead of other Southwest states, noting that this would ease the provision of water for the plants and boost investment in agriculture and farming activities.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State ministry of agriculture has proposed to expend N4.785 billion to pursue various agricultural programmes and farming activities in 2016 fiscal year with more focus on agricultural training and empowerment programmes; purchase of additional land clearing and preparation equipment; re-introduction of practical agriculture in secondary schools; establishment of semi-mechanized modern Abattoir; Agric shows and trade fair, among others.

Commenting on the state ministry of agriculture’s budget for 2016 before the state house of assembly in Abeokuta, Ronke Sokefun, Commissioner for Agriculture disclosed that the figure was made up of N720, 000,000 voted for recurrent expenditure; N650, 000,000 for allowances, while N4, 785,267,500 was voted for capital expenditure.

While noting that the ministry targets N400 million as revenue for the year considering the main focus of providing essential services for farmers and all players in agriculture sector of the State, Sokefun said that the ministry would stimulate increase in the production of food through the cultivation of farmland, raising of birds and facilitate adequate production and supply of raw materials to Agro-allied industries.
She added that the Ministry intends to increase employment generation opportunities in agriculture through the development of small, medium and large-scale farms and farming enterprises through Public Private Partnership initiative, among others.

“The Ministry will in 2016 fiscal year, continue its laudable programmes aimed at providing gainful employment to all categories of people; stimulate commercial agriculture and contribute to the economic profile of the State.”

“We will also intensify the production of improved seeds and seedlings of cash and arable crops; improve livestock breeds and fish fingerlings for distribution to farmers at affordable prices”, she added