IFAD moves to pilot agro-allied processing clusters, irrigation in Ogun

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has chosen Ogun state as one of the six Southwest states to launch irrigation farming system and agro-allied processing clusters for produce processing.

IFAD , which is a specialised agency of the United Nations, has chosen Ogun state and the other five Nigerian states selected in other geo-political zones of the country for the pilot programmes in irrigation farming system, agro-allied processing clusters, storage and warehousing system as well as farmers’ empowerment. IFAD reveals that this is borne out of IFAD’s desires to place priority on comparative advantages possessed by these states.

For instance, IFAD is changing farming practice from rain-fed to irrigation farming system as a result of climate change; providing storage and warehousing system as well as agro-allied processing clusters for value addition and improved value chain development; constructing roads to farm sites for easy transportation; and empowering thousands of small-scale farmers.

Speaking during a working visit to Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state in Abeokuta at the weekend, Atsuko Toda, country manager, value chain programme, IFAD, disclosed that the mandate of this United Nations specialised agency was to encourage irrigation farming in Nigeria and Africa in order to mitigate effects of uncertainties arising from climate change.

Toda said value addition and improved value chain development in agriculture, might not be achieved if there were not frantic efforts to move from rain-fed farming system to irrigation; construct farm sites roads; create storage and warehousing system for produce preservation; establish agro-allied processing clusters and empower farmers for improved production.

Hence, IFAD is working with Ogun state, like other five states selected across the country, to improve rice and cassava production and processing through adequate empowerment of 1,500 farmers; establishment of two to three irrigation sites; construction of 20 kilometres roads to farm sites; building of storage and warehousing as well as agro-allied processing clusters.

Responding, Governor Ibikunle Amosun said agriculture practice leading to industrialisation would remain the best priority of his administration and the desire to ensure that Ogun state becomes the food basket of the Southwest geo-political zone of the country would ever be pursued, adding that government would pay its counterpart fund and ensure success of the project.

While commending IFAD for its efforts in agricultural development in the world,  Governor Amosun noted that the country will have its economy improved with the existence of IFAD in Nigeria, saying: “Agriculture is the option that we have. There is no other way to go. We have no other option. We also need to process and add value.”

RAZAQ AYINLA