Over 2,500 VCDP Farmers Benefit From FG, OGSG Agricultural Inputs
By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA
Despite the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, not less than 2,500 farmers have been empowered with agricultural inputs under the Federal Government, Ogun State, and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP).
Dr. Adeola Odedina, Commissioner for Agriculture while flagging-off the 2020 Inputs Redemption by Farmers under the FGN/OGSG/IFAD model at Odeda Local Government Area revealed that the programme was one among many other laudable agricultural schemes facilitated by Governor Dapo Abiodun to assist farmers.
Dr. Odedina emphasised that notwithstanding the effect of the COVID-19, the state government would continue to expand agricultural activities and explore available agricultural opportunities at all levels for the good of farmers.
The commissioner posited: “The agricultural roadmap of the state has been revised to address envisaged effect of COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are not stopping agricultural activities even in the heights of the pandemic, and other states have started copying from us. We are not going to starve in Ogun State. Pandemic or not, it will not affect us, in this period, we will be opening all opportunities.”
He hereby charged the beneficiaries to use the inputs for the purpose it is meant for, saying apart from the Anchor Borrowers Programme, there are many other agricultural programmes such as Ogun State VCDP as the government has demonstrated capacity to manage the continuous increase in the number of applications for agricultural opportunities.
“It is because of the continuous advocacy of the governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun that we are now having investors coming into the state as well as many other international organisations and the CBN has expressed interest in various other commodities,” he stated.
Speaking earlier, the Ogun State Coordinator, VCDP, Samuel Adeogun noted that the programme which is jointly implemented by the federal, state and the IFAD was in line with the objectives of the Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP) and the National Economic Recovery and Growth plan.
“The objective is to achieve a marked-led value-added production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava commodities and products by small holder farmers through the adoption of best practices and innovations that will increase efficiencies of the value chain of the commodities, attract the youths and ensure gender inclusiveness.
“The inputs support is under the matching grant arrangement in which the farmers pay 50 percent of the cost of the inputs and the programme pays 50 percent using Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) module.
“However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic this year 2020, the programme reviewed the arrangements and farmers will pay 40 percent and the programme 60 percent. For women and youth groups, they will pay 30 percent while the programme pays 70 percent,” Adeogun said.
He stated further that the implementation is in line with agricultural revolution initiatives of the current administration as the state is the only state in the South West among the 9 states where VCDP is being implemented.
He said this phase of the input distribution for 2020 planting season for both cassava and rice was the fifth in the life of the programme, adding that since inception, over 8,000 small holder farmers have been supported with input to cultivate about 9,000 hectares across eight implementing local government areas in the state.
Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries, a farmer, Chief Taofeek Odedina expressed appreciation to the government for the gesture, assuring that they will utilise the inputs appropriately.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion include members of the State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Dotun Sorunke, Caretaker Chairman, Odeda Local Government, Hon. Semiu Bola Lawal among others.
