The Train-the-Trainers Programme for Agricultural Extension Workers in support of the recently empowered 3,500 Ogun State Cassava ABP nominees was concluded on Friday, 8th May, 2020, at the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP) Zonal Office in Sagamu Local Government Area.
According to a statement, the training programme was held in adherence to COVID-19 guidelines on gathering, hygiene and health standards.
The trained extension agents would assist each of the recently empowered 3,500 farmers; and also serve as role models to other farmers, both practising and intending.
The team was at the Ikenne Farm Settlement to monitor land clearing for linkage of additional beneficiaries to cleared land in the State’s Agricultural Intervention Programmes for youths, including Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP).
The continuous rise in the number of youths requiring linkage to cleared land, necessitated the need to extend land clearing to existing Farm Settlements/Institutes. There was also a visit to the Agro Input sales office of the Agro Services Corporation in Ikenne, Ikenne Local Government Area.
The support for Food Production and Processing locations across the State also continued with farm/facility tours of Master Meats Farm, Ikenne, Ikenne Local Government Area; Combined Rice Mill at Atan, Ijebu North East Local Government and Longcottage Agro Ventures Ltd, Odosimadegun, Ijebu North East Local Government.
Master Meat, the popular meat vendor at Shoprite locations, is a leasee of Ogun State Government with livestock farm in Ikenne, Ikenne, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The high point of the visit was to secure an offtake contract with the farm, for our proposed young cattle fattening entrepreneurs.
The Combined Rice Mill which has a full capacity of 15 Metric Tonnes per day, was facilitated by the Ogun State Government from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, to support Rice farmers in Atan, Ijebu North East Local Government.
Longcottage Agro Ventures Ltd Odosimadegun, Ijebu North East Local Government, have Agricultural investments in Vegetables (Cabbage, Tomatoes, Kale, Cucumbers etc); Rice Production and Processing; Oil Palm Plantation and Processing with Drip Irrigation Facilities; and are also involved in Soil Testing Laboratory Services and Capacity Building of Farmers.
The Ministry of Agriculture would be providing support and patronage to the private farm in its capacity building/training; and commodity processing activities in Rice, Cassava, Palm Oil and Yam.
These farm/facility tours are part of the State’s strategy in responding to the economic downturn brought by the current pandemic situation. The Ministry of Agriculture will continue to support private sector efforts at Food Security and Job Creation through Agriculture.
The last stop was a courtesy visit to the Oligun of Ilugun, HRH Oba Engr. Josiah Bamidele Otukoya.
