The Federal Government and the Ogun State Government through the Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD Assisted) on Thursday inaugurated market stalls lock-up Shops and Solar-power boleholes to farmers and their communities.
Mrs Fatima Aliyu, the National Program Coordinator of VCDP during the inauguration of the facilities at Odogbolu, Ijebu North East, Ijebu East and Obafemi-Owode Local government area of the state said the intervention was to enhance market linkage, as well as agro-processing capacity of farmers and their communities.
She disclosed that 30 Market Lock-up shops, 28 Market stalls, and three Solar-Powered boreholes would be empowered to the farmers of the host communities.
Aliyu, who was represented by Malam Gidado Bello, Human Resource Advisor , said the intervention programme was to improve the livelihood and living standard of farmers.
She added that the facilities would also prevent post-harvest losses of farm produce.
Aliyu, appealed to the farmers and residents of the host communities who were beneficiaries of the projects to make use of the facilities judiciously to enable government provide more.
“If we provide boreholes, market stalls and market stores, we believe that it would contribute and improve the living standard and livelihoods of the farmers and host communities.
“We built this infrastructure expecting it to have an effect,
we want to see evidence that you use whatever we provided, and that will encourage us to give you more.
“We hope that when next we come we want to see these boreholes still functioning, we want to see these market stalls being used properly and managed.
“You have told us what you need and we have provided it, we want to see how well you are going to use it, and we promise to provide you with more because that is why we exist,”she said.
The Ogun Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo explained that the provision of the facilities symbolised collective efforts to empower farmers through provision of tools and resources needed to thrive.
He added that access to clean water for processing activities and adequate market facilities were fundamental to the success of the agricultural sector in the state and the country at large.
“As we commission these projects, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting our farmers and continuing to invest in the agricultural sector.
‘Together we can achieve remarkable progress and ensure a prosperous future for our state.
“The Ogun state ministry of agriculture’s intervention for farmers is end-to-end, we are not only giving them input distribution, we are doing capacity building to ensure that extension officers are well taught to help other small holder farmers,”he said.
The commissioner, however, urged the beneficiaries to take care of the facilities, adding that they should not see it as government property, but take ownership and put it to judicious use.
Earlier, Mrs Temitope Ajisafe , the Acting State Programme Coordinator, Ogun State VCDP, disclosed that the selection of the beneficiaries was in line with their active participation during the Value Chain Action Plan (VCAP) of the program.
She added that all the farmers who benefitted from the programme met with all the criteria required before they were selected.
She advised them to maximally put the facilities to use, to improve their quality of life.
In their remarks, the Oloko of Ijebu Imusin, Oba Stephen Onafowokan and Baale Imodi, High Chief Adewale Okusajo, expressed optimism that the projects would mark a significant milestone in the development of the communities.
They said it would also stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities for the youths.
Responding on behalf of the farmers, Mr Adebanjo Olalekan, Mrs Ajoke Adebanjo and Mr Taiwo Adesanya, appreciated the government for the support, saying that it would further boost their sales and improve their wellbeing.
