N680m Have Been Disbursed To 3,500 Cassava Farmers -Gov. Abiodun

By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA
No fewer than 3,500 cassava farmers in Ogun State have received a total of six hundred and eighty million naira (N680,000,000) as disbursement from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the the state Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP).
In addition, inputs such as 60 bundles of improved cassava stems, four bags of fertilizers each, 11 litres of herbicides each were also distributed to the beneficiaries at the point of use to maintain the integrity of the programme which has been adjudged to be exemplary and transparent.
Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun affirmed this at the flag-off of the 2020 planting season and inputs distribution to the first batch of Cassava production anchor borrowers programme beneficiaries held at the Agro Services Corporation complex, Asero, Abeokuta on Monday.
Governor Abiodun while delivering his address congratulated the Commissioner Of Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina and the entire staff of Ministry of Agriculture for exemplary services they have rendered so far in ensuring that the programme was successful and rancour free.
He said: “I consider this occasion very apt and as a state and people, we are just lucky with our geographical location, but providence has placed us with a very few favourable climate and fertile soil for agriculture. Our land mass is over 16,000 square kilometres, out of which 12,800 square kilometres are arable land. 
“We are talking of arable land bigger than the total land mass of some countries in Africa or Europe. The fact is that we also have favourable climate and we know that arable without the people in it does not translate into optimum agricultural production. 
“We have seen countries with less favourable climate and almost not farmable land become food sufficient and exporters of food. What this means is that the government and people must come together and chart a course for joint development and optimization of God given resources. In simple language, our fate is in our hands.”
Furthermore, the governor expressed delight with the progress made by the programme that has continued to receive huge acceptance from major stakeholders.
He noted: “This programme has so far recorded a total of 60,000 registrations indicating the ability to use agriculture and cassava crop as a means of providing jobs for the youths. 3,500 anchor borrower programme nominees in the state have been provided with funds and linked with agricultural inputs and fields ready for tilling and planting.
“Out of the 60,000 registrations recorded for seven crops, and cassava recorded 25,000 applications. 2,497 farmers were credited with N500m in March 2020, by the CBN, while an additional payment of over N180m was credited to an additional 900 farmers in April, 2020.
“My administration is unreservedly committed to the development of all sectors of the state economy, and the target is to produce enough food to attain nutritional self-sufficiency in the short term and over long term produce enough food for other states in the country and for export.
“The ministry has been directed to continue to provide farming support to farmers and private sector players during this period, to ensure food security, agro activities, linkages and job creation.
“As we speak, all nine agro-service centres in our state have enough seeds and other agro-inputs required to support 2020 farming activities; and other non-ABP farming support like the Ogun broiler project; rice intervention in Mokoloki/Ofada, Eggua in Yewa and other locations will be sustained.”
However, in his welcome remark, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Odedina emphasised that governor Abiodun led administration has identified agriculture as one of the pivots upon which the economy of the state would stand.
The commissioner hinted: “The state is currently running the biggest anchor borrowers programme in cassava in the whole of Africa, with a total of 27,000 farmers applied for opportunities in cassava out of the 60,000 beneficiaries, and it is an exemplary one, anchored on a mechanical planting system.
“In this anchor borrower programme, there is no room for inputs diversion. His Excellency has directed that the farms must be geotyped, all extension agents must located the farm, and inputs distribution must be based on farm location.
“As we all know the onset of the rainy season signifies the entrance of a new planting season, and Ogun State is leaving no stone unturned to prepare for bountiful harvest despite the threats and restrictions of the COV8D-19 pandemic in Nigeria and whole World.
“On behalf of farmers and stakeholders in the state, we appreciate His Excellency for approving the COVID-19 agricultural strategy that allows uninterrupted farming and input distribution activities, amid the current pandemic situation, including the plan to engage more youths as part of the response to food security, job creation and linkages.
“To link at a single swipe and connect such number of farmers for a single commodity to 60 bundles of improved cassava stems, four bags of fertilizers each, 11 litres of herbicides each, funds and free extension services, with capture data’s (faces, BVNs, phone numbers, house addresses, farm locations etc) is unprecedented, not only in Ogun State and Nigeria, but also in Africa as a whole.”
Similarly, CBN branch Controller, W. L. Oseni in his speech said: “CBN innits developmental efforts in sustenance of food security, diversification of the economy, reducing food imports bill, youth unemployment and level of poverty among small holders framers has rolled out many agricultural initiatives. 
“One of these is the anchor borrowers programme that would make Ogun State a point of positive reference in the cultivation of cassava in Nigeria. 
“It is our hope as an institution that all stakeholders will show commitment towards a successful implementation of the programme. This is without saying that success is a continuum and we must keep striving to bring to fruition, the overall objective of the programme,” Oseni opined.
Meanwhile, the trio of Beatrice Akanbi (Remo North), Samuel Ayomipo Bakare (Imeko-Afon), and Obimakinde Oluwole Emmanuel (Odeda) speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries appreciated the state government for the gesture in which they claimed would transform the state to an enviable heights within the shortest period.
Also, they affirmed that through this anchor borrowers programme, it would go a long way in enabling them to contribute their quota towards making the state efficient in food production, and envy of other states.
The highlight of the event was the official presentation of bank cheque with face value of N210,275.00 each to Mrs. Akanbi and two others invited for the flag-off as well as cutting the tape for the newly acquired tractors meant for the programme while governor Abiodun rode on the tractor to experience the mechanised farming system.