The reality of venturing into agriculture as an alternative avenue to drive any economy and reduce poverty, in relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by any administration cannot be over-emphasised, given its significant contribution to food security, job creation, and to a large extent, in generating revenue into the coffers of the government.
This was the maiden approach the current administration in Ogun State adopted at inception. Vision drives mission. There is no gain saying the fact that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration has demonstrated its commitment and resolve towards resuscitating the once-upon-a-time mainstay economic prosperity (agriculture) of the defunct old Western Region for survival, growth and development of the state.
This approach wasn’t at variance with the vision of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Premier of the defunct Western Region, who took agriculture to the next level in guaranteeing self-sufficiency in food production and shoring up the revenue base. Currently, livestock breeding has also taken a central-place of pride in driving the agro-business in the country. Apart from being the biggest in poultry farming, the state remains the largest producer of cat fish.
The agricultural agenda of the administration is one of the most ambitious in the country, with well-over 80,000 individuals in line for linkage to land, market, credit facilities, and training.
An approval of the road map by the current administration has had direct relation to food security, job creation and agricultural industrialisation, which are pursued in an inclusive manner that deliberately incorporate youths and small-holder farmers.
It should be noted that one of the obstacles to youth involvement in agriculture and sustainable investments in agricultural value chain opportunities, especially in primary production, remains access to land and difficulty in linking farmers, including potential ones, to land and agricultural mechanisation, particularly in South-west Nigeria/forest zone, where a difficult terrain exists.
This is in addition to other socio-economic factors limiting access for agricultural land.
Conservatively put, it is on record that well-over 80,000 individuals have, so far, since the current administration came into office on May 29, 2019, registered for the agricultural value chain opportunities in growing crops to meet up the demands of industries in the state that house the largest agro-industrial hub in the country.
Worthy of note is one of the prominent milestone achievements, which is the commitment towards coming to the aid of young farmers and investors in agricultural land-clearing and preparation (ploughing, harrowing and ridging) and mechanisation of planting to a tune of 2,500 hectares of land in the 2020 planting season, despite the year was ravaged with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
And these interventions provided the support for the individuals to enjoy the infrastructure, such as lands, and access to credit linkage as part of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrower’s Programme, which is one of the biggest and most successful in the country. It is made up of 4,565 cassava beneficiaries, 1,081 rice beneficiaries and well-over 14,000 cassava and rice beneficiaries under the FGN/IFAD/Ogun Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), amongst others.
Resulting from the commitment of the current administration to linkage to land clearing and mechanisation as one of its interventions, the federal government has come to the aid of the state government, with the land clearing project of 450 hectares for agricultural and industrial sectors. The gesture is to enable farmers and young people deliver on their production targets to factories, and also to pay back loans to credit partners to attain economic prosperity in their farming business.
By and large, it has become imperative to note that there is a need to strengthen its partnership in order to deliver, in line with the agenda of the current administration to aggressively pursue partnership with national and International Development Agencies, which have a mandate of throwing their weight behind the Agricultural Value Chain Opportunities.
As an administration that is not resting on its oars, it is keenly interested in byproducts of agricultural investments that are sustained industrialisation, job creation and food security, while the private sector is expected to continue to do more of their business in an enabling environment where the needed support is provided.
However, the recent expression of interest by a team of the National Agricultural Land Department Authority (NALDA) that visited Governor Abiodun, in his office, in a bid to partner Ogun State in growing its agro-business, has offered a ray of hope of a sustainable economy.
The decision by the federal government to breathe life into NALDA and give support to states in the agricultural agenda is timely. Without mincing words, Ogun State is blessed with 1.2 million hectares of arable land, with 80 per cent still lying fallow for cultivation.
It is to be noted that while credit agencies are not willing to fund land clearing (bulldozing), and young people look up for assistance in this area, the state government has, in the recent past, in demonstration of its commitment, released 450 hectares of land to partners and government agencies in support of youths in agriculture, as requested.
Notwithstanding, it is of the view that, in the embedded vision, Governor Abiodun had taken cognisance of the fact that sustaining agriculture, as an engine room for industrialisation, would propel the economic prosperity of the state. Thus, the engagement of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) approach in driving the economy in just, fair, inclusive, methodical and participatory governance, is a way of stimulating and increasing the agro-based sector for optimal contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.
While playing host to the NALDA team, led by its Executive Secretary, Prince Paul Ikonne, at his Okemosan, Abeokuta office, recently, Abiodun expressed delight for the interest shown in partnering with the Ogun State Government.
According to him, the governor attributed the success of the administration’s agricultural project to the unflinching support of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, whereby agriculture is seen as a “triple barrel pillar” that allows the state to feed its people, create employment and as well, generate revenue into the coffers of the state government.
Besides, he noted that his administration had recently begun the construction of its Agro-Cargo International Airport located at Ilishan-Remo to boost the agricultural sector. Abiodun said the state won a bid to become a special agricultural processing zone, with the state taking the advantage of the Agro-Cargo Airport that sits on 5,000 hectares of land to its side.
“We are prepared to support NALDA, especially with the provision of land for the purpose of an Integrated Farm Estate.
“We are setting up a team of agricultural experts to look into ways of starting a Garri Packaging Plant in a no distant time and ensure that the youths, especially graduates benefit immensely from the training programme on soil testing and extension services,” the governor said.
However, it was gathered that the state would benefit from the Integrated Farm Estate, Garri Packaging Plant and, a training programme on soil testing and extension services for 200 young graduates in agriculture and other science-related degrees.
With its initial 700 hectares of land at Ijoga-Orile, in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state, for Cashew Estate, the reactivation of the estate for food production is seen as another milestone towards self-sufficiency and economic growth.
“We are committed to achieve your desire in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision on food security and job creation. We will partner with you and be fast with it.
“Our programmes are in phases and we are committed to make living from them.
“We won’t sit back and watch you (Ogun State Government) do it alone. We will partner with you to make your state the food basket of the nation.
“Our mandate is to complement the efforts and activities of your agricultural sector.
“We will create market to bring development in the agrarian sector and create employment and job security through our activities.
“Ogun state is slated as one of the pilot states for the project.
“We are requesting for lands, sustainable for this project. And as soon as possible, we are ready to develop them. We know that Ogun State has capacity in cassava production. We will be off-takers from the farmers.
“You (Ogun) are the first among other states in this project and your efforts and vision can’t be over-emphasised,” said the NALDA boss.
Meanwhile, NALDA’s Integrated Farm Estate is going to be sited in Ogun State, in the three senatorial districts. The Integrated Farm Estate is a concept that takes in everything from production to processing, packaging and marketing.
In line with the aggressive push for sustainable growth and development in the agro-business, there is no doubt that the bold initiative of the current administration in the state is a right step to guaranteeing food security on account of drought resulting from the global climatic change.
––Ezekiel wrote from Abeokuta, Ogun State capital .
