Ogun, OSSAP Train Agric Cooperative Societies For Higher Productivity
No fewer than 20 Agriculture Cooperative Societies in Ogun State have been trained to acquire basic skills needed for their vocation, in order to improve on food production and build the capacity of farmers for better performance, profitability and sustain development.
The Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Ms. Adenrele Adesina, who disclosed this while declaring open a-3 day programme on Agricultural Production Improvement Course, for Cooperative Societies in Abeokuta said, agriculture was one of the most important aspect of nation’s building that should not be under-rated, as it occupies a central position in the success story of the State.
Adenrele said the programme which was organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Ogun State Government, in collaboration with a Management Consulting firm, was one of the numerous interventions received by the State through SDG.
The Commissioner, while noting that the training course was the second batch in its series, organised to empower and widen farmer’s horizon in the State, assured that it would cut across the three Senatorial Districts of the State,
Adenrele recalled that, the SDG had earlier supported the State by rehabilitating some selected health care facilities, built some blocks of classrooms and toilets in the education sector, as well as providing boreholes in the water and sanitation sectors.
She noted that supporting other sectors without improving agricultural production, which was key to human existence, would not bring about the expected development.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Mr. Adekunle Hassan, in his remark, said the training, apart from boosting farmers skills for better productivity, would help them manage their financial resources in order to maximize profit, noting that the training was not to condemn the farmers ways of farming, but to enable them learn from experts, for better understanding and improvements in agricultural practice
Highlighting some areas of concentration, which included Arable Crop, Vegetable Productions, Organic Farming, Poultry, Piggery, Rabbitary, Snailry, Beekeeping, Aquacultural production, Fishery, Farm Management, Record keeping, Marketing among others, the Consultant, Mr. Kunle Akiode, said participants would be exposed to the practical aspect of the training by visiting some farm settlements in the State for better understanding.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mr. Gbenga Olowo, appreciated the State government for giving the farmers 100 hectares of land for rice production, pledging their commitments towards ensuring food stability and sustainability in the State
Present at the training were selected Agricultural Cooperative Societies from Ifo, Ado-Odo Ota, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Abeokuta North and Obafemi Owode Local Government Areas.
