IFAD / OGSG TO IMPLEMENT SUPPORT MISSION FOR FARMERS

In its bid to change the fortune of farmers, Ogun State Government in collaboration with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has put in place plans to implement support mission for farmers, especially in cassava production and processing in the State. The Country Programme Manager for IFAD, Atsuko Toda disclosed this while on inspection visit to Irewolede, Ijana, Alapako Fadama Community Association and Agbelere Farmers Association, Bara at Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the State.

Atsuko said the visit was important in order to have full knowledge of challenges farmers were going through in the production and processing of cassava before the support mission commence. “I can see there are many challenges amongst Ogun farmers’ producer and processor of cassava and that is why we are here. We need to know your basic needs so that we can be sure of where to begin the “support mission”. Atsuko said. She assured farmers of full support in the provision of modern equipment especially for processing cassava and trainings where needed, adding that efforts were being put together to also link them with available market to boost sale of the produce at profitable rate.

Earlier, the State Coordinator of IFAD, Mr. Samuel Adeogun said the objective of the programme was to build up the capacity of farmers in cassava and rice production and processing in order to add more value to their produce. Adeogun said the programme had different level of support, stating that implementation would commence as soon as action plans had been completed. Chairman, Agbelere

Association, Mr. Olusegun Owolabi who spoke on behalf of other farmers said they have been exposed to new methodologies and trainings that would make them better equipped in their chosen field and also increase their profit. Mr. Owolabi while appreciating the State Government, said hope would be restored to them if all promises were actualized, appealing to the Government to increase publicity on State’s garri production and processing which would bring market opportunities from outside the State.