S’west seeks partnership with NADF, others to enhance agriculture

SOUTH- WEST states, which include Lagos, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Osun, have sought the collaboration of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria ( DAWN) Commission, National Agricultural Development Fund ( NADF), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture ( IITA) and Odu'a Investments Company Limited ( OICL), to fund agricultural development to boost revenues base in the region.

Commissioners for Agriculture across the six South- West states, who spoke during a two- day stakeholders’ meeting facilitated by DAWN, harped on funding as a sure means through which agriculture could be developed in the region.

Lagos State listed its priority in agriculture to include establishment of agro- produce hubs and improving value chains in rice, coconut, red meat, poultry, fishery and piggery, while its Ekiti counterpart placed premium on the case for cocoa, oil

Ogun State spoke of its comparative advantage in the region for production of cassava, poultry, and the cargo airport and needs funding to increase their output, while Ondo wanted funding support for land development, climate smart agriculture, seedling development, forest regeneration and development of priority value chains. Osun State, on its part, sought funding support for rural road rehabilitation, upgrading of farm settlement and establishment of new ones, among others, just as Oyo sought funding to support ongoing initiatives by the state government on mechanised farming, viable seed production, climate smart agriculture, processing and storage facilities, and farm service centres.

In his address, Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, said that the body is focusing on improving agricultural output, import substitution, and employment generation in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Also speaking, the DirectorGeneral of DAWN, Seye Oyeleye, said the organisation is “the best platform to meet the six states of the region” and assured all stakeholders of the body’s readiness to ensure best practices are adopted.”