As part of its bid to promote young farmers through job creation, food security and boost export ,the Ogun state government has facilitated payment of N1billion to 6100 farmers in the state to grow cassava and Rice through the Central Bank Anchor Borrowers programme.
The initiative is also aimed at harnessing advantages of it’s proximity to Lagos.
According to Adeola Odedina,state agriculture commissioner, this programme is aimed at consolidating its leadership role as one of the leading participants in the IFAD/FG Value Chain Programme and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme, even as it is the largest producer of cassava in Nigeria as well as the largest producer of rice in southwestern Nigeria.
In this regard,he said the state has disbursed through the CBN, seven hundred million Naira (N700,000,000)to five thousand, one hundred young farmers to grow cassava and another three hundred million Naira (N300,000,000) to 1,000 young rice farmers within a season. The Commissioner added that under the IFAD/FG Value Chain Programme, the State has paid three hundred and sixty million Naira (N360,000,000) as credit linkage to 8,000 people to grow rice and cassava.
These are in line with the commitment of the State Government under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR to create self-sustainability, make raw materials available for industries, promote export to other states and countries, and create jobs.
The Hon. Commissioner, Dr Odedina stated that the mass reconstruction of roads in the State is not unconnected to the support that the government is providing for offtakers and processors in the agriculture sector. He added that the government is not focusing on urban areas only, but also semi-urban and rural areas to ease movement of raw materials, farm produce and finished goods.
