Cassava Production: Ogun Govt. Credits 3,500 Youths Across 20 LG's

Abeokuta- Nothing less than 3,500 farmers have been credited with funds for cassava planting, processing and production in Ogun state. 

The governor disclosed this on Monday at the flag-off of the 2020 Planting Season and Distribution of Inputs to the first batch of cassava value chain beneficiaries under the Anchor Borrowers Programme.

Abiodun said the programme was in appreciation of his administration ability to use Agriculture and the Cassava crop as a vehicle to provide jobs for the youths and support existing farmers for the benefit of Agro-Allied Industrial and Processing Partners.

Governor Abiodun inspecting the cassava tree

He noted that, the 3500 beneficiaries were drawn from the 25,000 applicants across the 20 local government areas of the state who indicated interest in cassava production.

He added that, the 3,500 farmers represented the first phase of disbursement of fund to cassava farmers who claimed to have farmland of their own.

He explained that, already, 2,497 farmers have been credited with N500million in March this year by CBN, while additional payment of over N180million was credited to 900 farmers last Wednesday.

He said the goal of the agricultural sector in his administration was to ensure food security, by linking smallholder farmers to industrial opportunities and provided linkage to credit and inputs which will follow preferred crops by off-takers.

Governor Abiodun presenting cheque to one of the beneficiaries

He said this is necessary because almost all nations of the world have closed their borders and it has become imperative to "grow what we eat agenda".

"It is with those feelings that I join others to welcome all of us to the Official flag-off of the 2020 Planting Season and Distribution of Inputs to the first batch of 3,500 Cassava farmers drawn from all 20 LGAs under the Ogun State Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.

The Commissioner for Agric, Dr. Odedina with Governor Abiodun at the flag-off of the cassava planting season

"I have the pleasure to state that voluntary registrations for ABP in Ogun State which is an extremely high number and in fact the highest ever recorded by any State for this crop (27,000), is an indication of the trust in our ability to use Agriculture and the Cassava crop, as a vehicle to provide jobs for our teeming youths; and to also support existing farmers for the benefit of our Agro-Allied Industrial and Processing Partners.

"In the past three weeks, a total of 3,500 Ogun ABP nominees have been credited with funds, and linked with inputs (weed killers and fertilizers) and fields ready for tilling and planting of improved and disease-resistant Cassava varieties to be supplied. This unprecedented feat continues to make Ogun ABP exemplary. The registration figures keep rising daily. Today, up to 60,000 registrations have been records for seven commodities, with Cassava hitting a record high of 25,000 applications. 

"Already, 2,497 farmers were credited with N500Million in March, 2020 by CBN; an additional payment of over N180Million was credited to additional 900 farmers on Wednesday, 29th April, 2020 by the CBN. This leaves a remaining balance of N20Million to be credited to 103 farmers. Also, a total of 3,500 farmers would represent the first phase of disbursement of fund to cassavau farmers who claimed to own their farmland; and have been mapped and geo-tagged by the CBN to totally eliminate the issue of fake and absentee farmers.

"Today, oil, which is the main source of revenue for our dear nation is selling for below 30 dollars a barrel. Even the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Budget Office has reworked the National Budget to reflect current realities as dictated by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. The fact that almost all the nations of the world have closed their borders has brought to the fore the importance of our “growing what we eat” agenda. We all see the importance of self-reliance in food productivity. I am sure we are all now aware of the importance and relation of food production, not only to food security, but to the overall security in the nation, in general, and our dear State, in particular."