Ogun set for FG’s free school feeding programme

THE Ogun State government says it is ready to channel all its agricultural plans and policies towards the success and sustainability of the ‘Home Grown School Feeding Programme’ of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, meant to feed pupils in public primary schools in the country,

Mrs Ronke Sokefun, the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture,disclosed this recently while defending the ministry’s 2016 budget before members of the House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, led by Honourable Adeyemi Harrisson.

Sokefun said the Owowo Model Farm Estate located at Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state had been designated as one of the farms that would supply farm produce such as eggs and fishes to the feeding programme.

He said that the farm estates in the state would also serve as empowerment strategy for young graduates under a scheme tagged: ‘Graduate Youth Empowerment Programme’, adding that the programme comprises poultry, fisheries and arable farming.

While speaking on the N5 billion loans recently approved by the House of Assembly, Sokefun noted that more attention would be given to rice and cassava farmers as well as those specialised in fisheries and poultry farming in the state.

She added that as part of plans to improve the sector, the state government had approved the allocation of about 7,000 hectares of farmland to corporate investors, while additional 53 new applications were received from corporate and individual applicants.

Responding, the chairman of the committee, Honourable Harrisson, commended the efforts of the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in ensuring abundant food production in the state.