Amosun Affirms Commitment To Reviving Agriculture In Ogun

OGUN State government has re-affirmed commitment towards reviving agriculture to boost industrial base and restore lost glory, and return it as the main source of the revenue base.

The State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun stated this at the flag-off and symbolic distribution of Agro-Inputs to the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) supported beneficiaries of the cassava value chain enterprise development project, held at the Ijebu North and Ijebu North East Local Government Areas of the state.

Amosun, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Lanre Bisiriyu, said it is in realisation of this, that his administration is providing adequate facilities, appropriate inputs, extension services and incentives, which will greatly improve the level of agricultural production, productivity as well as the well-being of its citizens.

He praised the BATNF for supporting cassava value chain, which is one of the six priority crops of his administration with others like rice, cotton, cocoa, kolanut and oil palm.

Speaking earlier, General Manager of the Foundation, Miss Abimbola Okoya said the choice of the four beneficiary communities; Ijebu Igbo, Ago Iwoye, Imewuro and Idode in the two council areas, was as a result of extensive deliberations with their implementing partner, the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme.

She added that their aim is to strengthen the capacity of the community-based farmers, cooperatives and agro-enterprise associations, to participate in innovative economic activities, adopt renewable and energy-efficient technology, and implement practices of soil health.

The farmers will also be supported with farmland preparation, provision of modern agricultural extension services, timely supply of improved agricultural input, provision of storage facilities and facilitation of access to open institutional markets.

Sixty small holders cassava farmers benefitted from the distribution of the agro-inputs, which include fertilizers, herbicide and other inputs.