Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, says his administration is ready to revolutionise the state’s agricultural sector and its value added chains so as to create employment and reduce poverty
The governor’s declaration is part of plans to improve Ogun State’s economic base towards food sufficiency and security.
Governor Amosun made the promise while playing host to the Country’s Programme Manager, Value Added Chains of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Mrs Atsuko Toda, at his office in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital in South-west Nigeria.
While assuring farmers in the state of better years ahead, the governor also expressed readiness to partner with IFAD in agricultural development.
Director of Research and Statistics, Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture, Dele Olugbebi, decried that, many initiatives introduced by the government at all levels, the sector is yet to find its level.
He emphasised that over 90% of local farmers still depend on traditional means of production and poor marketing.
Despite putting other incentives in place for farmers in the state by the government, Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter, Segun Dasaolu, urged the government to do more.
The State government in conjunction with IFAD is expected to empower about 1,500 farmers and provide cluster processing centres for selected agricultural produce.
