Ogun finalises N2.4bn agric deal with IFAD

As part of efforts to ensure adequate food security in Southwest states and increase Nigerian gross domestic product, the Ogun state government has finalised N2.4 billion ($100 million) agriculture deal with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on massive production and processing of rice and cassava, with the empowerment of smallholder farmers.

It will be recalled that IFAD country programme manager, Atsuko Toda had declared during a working visit to Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state in October, that IFAD earmarked $100 million for massive production and processing of Nigeria’s staples – rice and cassava in six Nigerian states, including Ogun, Niger, Ebonyi, Taraba, Benue and Anambra.

She said that IFAD chose Ogun state for the pilot programme in Nigeria because of its comparative advantage in (Ofada) rice and cassava production with a view to empowering 1,500 smallholder farmers across the state with provisions of warehousing and agro-allied, processing clusters as well as construction of some farm sites roads and irrigation sites.

Speaking at the inauguration of Ogun state steering committee for IFAD/FGN value chain development programme held in Abeokuta at the weekend, Ronke Sokefun said that the goal of IFAD “is to increase income of farmers on sustainable basis to improve livelihood of rural household farmers.”

She explained that three Local Government Areas in the State, namely, Yewa North, Ijebu-North East and Obafemi-Owode, were chosen to commence the project and would target smallholder farmers that cultivate up to five hectares of land; small-scale processors and traders, adding that massive production and processing of rice and cassava would create more jobs.

Agriculture is one of the cardinal programmes of the current administration. This is because of its role in ensuring food security, employment generation and provision of raw materials for the industries.

“Governor Ibikunle Amosun has approved the counterpart funds of the programme for 2014 and 2015. This has positioned the programme to commence implementation’’, Sokefun said.

Earlier, the State Coordinator for IFAD, Samuel Adeogun noted that the programme would be funded by IFAD to the tune of 74.4percent cost; federal government will contibute 9.9percent; States that are involve, will contribute 10.4percent, while Local Governments, which the project domiciles are expected to contribute 4.3percent and beneficiaries (farmers) would be charged 2.1percent.

Segun Dasaolu, chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Ogun state branch, who spoke on behalf of all beneficiaries, pledged that farmers would make good use of the agriculture-based wealth creation programme to increase food production and create more wealth as well as ensure that the aim of alleviating poverty in the country was achieved.

Dasaolu however, appealed to government at all levels to assist farmers in the reduction of production cost expended in the course of production and processing by providing needed infrastructure such as roads, irrigation and storage facilities that would add more value to all farm produce produced by farmers in the long run, in order to have more income and value.

RAZAQ AYINLA