By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Oyo State government has said that it would empower 450 cassava producers in the state through the state’s funded Anchor Borrower’s programme and another set of 267 farmers in the production of rice and cassava under the FADAMA III additional financing project.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Mr Oyewole Oyewumi, made this known during the inaugural meeting of the state’s FADAMA III additional financing technical committee at the conference room of the ministry recently.
Mr Oyewumi said that the empowerment would improve economic activities in the state as well as create employment opportunities for the citizenry, stressing that the FADAMA project was designed to support the farmers to increase their yield, enhance sustainable profit and boost food security in the state.
He enjoined the beneficiaries to acquire contiguous lands in order to access the fund allocated for the programme with ease and consequently appealed to members of the committee to design strategies that will assist the Government in achieving its projections on the programme.
Speaking on the state’s funded Anchor Borrower’s programme at the official opening of Operational Project Account for participating farmers of the Agricultural Credit Corporation, the Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Agriculture, Professor Adetokunbo Adekunle said that N250,000 will be credited into each beneficiary’s account to produce two hectares of cassava following the completion of account project opening processes with the designated bank.
Professor Adetokunbo, who reiterated the role of agriculture in economic development, noted that the programme is aimed at elevating challenges confronting the farmers in terms of production and consumptions and consequently urged them to be diligent and invest solely on cassava to ensure the success of the programme.
In his remarks, the General Manager, Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State (ACCOS) Mr Bode Raji hinted that the loan would be under the supervision of the ACCOS and promised that the corporation would assist the farmers with the supply of necessary farm inputs.
He appealed to the farmers to operate in line with the rules of the programme and ensure prompt payment of the loan for others to benefit.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman, Cassava Growers Association, Oyo State Chapter, Mr Adekunle Muideen and the Chief Executive Officer, Eagleson and Nito Concepts, Mrs Remi Tinubu stated that the project remains a platform for cassava stakeholders in the state to excel in the business.
Adedapo Adesanya