EU, GIZ, Ogun govt tomato, chili pepper project records huge success…..Official

The European Union and German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) has commended Ogun State Government for the financial linkage and support for 3,000 individuals from Ogun State who have grown tomatoes successfully and are now producing and selling under the EU/GIZ/FG Nigeria Competitiveness Project (NICOP) at a strategic retreat between GIZ-NICOP and Ogun State Government for improved Tomato/Chili production in Ogun State, which was held on Thursday, 16th September 2021, at the Amithon Hall, Bolton White Hotel, Abuja. 

The Nigeria Competitiveness Project (NICOP), which was launched in Abeokuta by the Governor of Ogun state, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR, in March 2020, is part of the Pro-Poor Growth and Promotion of Employment in Nigeria Programme-SEDIN by European Union and German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). At the inception of the programme, the Governor of Ogun State approved free allocation of land for participants in the tomato/Chili Project project. 

At the strategic retreat which was aimed at deepening the ongoing partnership and enhancing coordination between Ogun State and GIZ, stakeholders commended the Government of Ogun State for the feat achieved in NICOP.  Some of the achievements recorded in the Project include: Over 50ha of tomato and pepper farmland allocated for  farmers trained under the programme across the 20 LGAs of the State; 73 Clusters formed in all the 20 LGAs across the State; 320 Million increase of income for beneficiaries; 144% increase of jobs (38%female); Distribution of 100 Million Improved Tomato Seeds to Ogun Farmers in which farmers in all the 73 clusters benefited; Over 500 farmers in Ogun State received tomato seeds free of charge from State Government; 36 Extension Agents and 33 lead farmers trained as master trainers in which training was stepped down to the 2,567 beneficiaries; 2567 beneficiaries undergone training on Good Agricultural Practices and Financial Management; Over 2,900 instances of trainings delivered (34% female); Over 1,400 additional smallholder farmers indirectly benefited; 1,500 farmers presently cultivating improved tomatoes varieties as against the local varieties which was being cultivated before; 20 Processors trained on Improved technology in processing, branding and marketing; Over 790 farmers trained in contract farming; 301 farmers successfully linked to credit; 60% Youths and 35% female are new entries into the tomato/chili value chain; Over 200 farmers trained on Solar Irrigation System; 76% of farmers confirmed improved knowledge; More than 47% yield increase recorded for smallholder farmers (54% female); 50% increase in yield and 80% increase in Income generation recorded.; Over 7Millon funding facilitated to 125 smallholder farmers; More than More than 80% of beneficiaries have increased income; More than 84%  of beneficiaries have increased turnover ; 144% increase of jobs have been recorded (38% female); 

In attendance were the Ogun State Agric team which comprised of the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina; Permanent Secretary, Dr. Dotun Sorunke; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Angel Adelaja- Kuye; Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Siraj Fashola;  Programme Head, Crop Component-Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP), Dr. (Mrs) Modupe Abidemi;  Director of Fisheries, Mrs. Victoria  Ojelade; Director of Livestock, Mr. Adeyemi Osilalu;  Director of Produce, Mr. S.A Adenopo and Director of Tree Crops, Mr. James Oyesola. Also present were representatives from GIZ-SEDIN Programme.