Superb season for Ogun farmers continues, receives improved post-harvest storage facilities

By Ayo Fadimu

The superb season which the farmers in Ogun State have been enjoying in the current dispensation of Prince Dapo  Abiodun’s administration continues as a federal government agency in collaboration with the state government distributed post-harvest storage facilities to 10 farmers’ groups in the state, to reduce post-harvest losses and boost food production

The  agency, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) building on the revolutionary actions of Abiodun’s administration being worked out by the state commissioner for agriculture, Dr Adeola Odedina distributed  such facilities include fish smoking kiln, ice fish box, and hermetic steel drums.

It would be recalled that recently, the state government distributed over 100,000 improved cocoa seedlings to farmers and provided lands to prospective investors to boost production

The governor, through Odedina also assured the farmers  that documentation of additional candidates, off-takers and processors had been submitted to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to enable the farmers to access the needed intervention that would restore the lost glory in the sector.

However, while delivering speech at distribution of storage facilities, the Executive Director of NSPRI, Patricia Pessu, said the empowerment programme was to support farmers with improved post-harvest storage facilities at no cost.

Ms Pessu, represented by Funmilayo Ilesanmi, zonal coordinator NSPRI, Ibadan, said the gesture was aimed at adding value and boosting the socio-economic development of farmers in the state.

She appealed to the farmers to utilise the facilities judiciously to boost food production, adding that effective use would encourage the government to continue its support to them.

In similar vein, Odedina, was represented by the Programme Manager, Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP). Taiwo Ayansanwo.

Odedina commended the NSPRI for the kind gesture extended to the state adding that it would boost food production.

He said the initiative would complement the effort of the state government in increasing food production and supporting smallholder farmers in the state.

The Director of Agricultural Extension Service at OGADEP, Solape Awe, thanked the federal government for the initiative and support for Ogun rural farmers.

Ms Awe noted that the 10 farmers’ groups selected as beneficiaries, comprised of women farmers, youth farmers, fish farmers, rice farmers and other value chain farmers.

She pledged that the officials of OGADEP would monitor the farmers to make sure the facilities were used accordingly.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Olorin Waleola, from Ilaro, Mr Adekunle Odedina, from Shode Village, and Mr Omotayo Solomon, from Remo, thanked the federal government, NSPRI and OGADEP.

They said the gesture would boost food production, add more income and encourage more of the youth to go into farming in the long run.

The beneficiaries promised to make judicious use of the facilities.