The Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) has taken its sensitization programme to fish farmers in Arifanla, Akute area of Ifo local government, as part of the effort to ensure that farmers in the state benefit from the ongoing World Bank Assisted programme in the state.
Owolabi Olalekan, an official from the Value Chain Development Firm (VCDF) under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) who visited the farm said that the project is a World Bank-assisted programme aimed at supporting farmers.
He said that the programme which is a World Bank-assisted programme for farmers in crop, fishery and poultry has been on for three years now and that farmers have been benefitting from the programme based on sensitization to farmers and the supply of feed for poultry and fish farmers.
He pointed out that the Value Chain Development Firm (VCDF) visit covers five geopolitical zones; which include; Odeda, Ifo, Ewekoro, Abeokuta South and North local governments and that this is the third year of the programme.
He said about 1500 farmers from each zones will be selected and supported financially through grant from the state government, stressing that cash will not be given to the farmers but inputs and feeds through accredited vendors.
Olalekan, who was so elated at the expanse of fish farming area in the farm said that he wants the farmers to put in for the programme so as to benefit and increase their productivity.
“My visit here to Arifanla Progressive Fish Farm in Akute area of Ifo local government is really a thing of joy for me. Seeing the massive fish ponds they have in here is not a child’s play, so we want them to benefit from this programme. It is a World Bank initiative program that is brought to Ogun State and farmers have been so happy about this program since they are benefiting from it.
“We still want our fish, poultry and crop farmers to benefit from this laudable programme. We must touch every part of the state, no matter how small the village is, they must all benefit from this programme. We have been going around the zones to sensitise the farmers about this programme. We want to ensure that we visit every farm in Ifo local government.
Olayiwola Owoeye, the Chairman of the Arifanla Progressive Fish Farmers Association while speaking said that members of the association has been introduced to the laudable programme and that the members will meet to come out with modalities to benefit from the programme.
“We have been enlightened on how to benefit, the condition to be met before disbursement among others has been shared with us. We believe if we benefit from this laudable programme it would go a long way in increasing our productivity and also contribute significantly to food sufficiency in the state and the nation at large” he added.
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