The European Union and German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) have commended Ogun State Government for the financial linkage and support for 3,000 individuals from Ogun State who have grown tomatoes successfully.
They made this known at a strategic retreat between GIZ-NICOP and Ogun State Government for improved Tomato/Chili production in Ogun State, yesterday in Abuja.
Tribune Online gathered that the 3,000 individuals are now producing and selling under the EU/GIZ/FG Nigeria Competitiveness Project (NICOP)
The Nigeria Competitiveness Project (NICOP), which was launched in Abeokuta by the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR, in March 2020, is part of the Pro-Poor Growth and Promotion of Employment in Nigeria Programme-SEDIN by the European Union and German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
Speaking at the event, The Ogun State Governor, His Excellency Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Adeola Odedina said the state government approved the free allocation of land for participants in the tomato/Chili Project project.
Governor Abiodun explained that some of the achievements recorded in the Project are Over 50ha of tomato and pepper farmland allocated for farmers trained under the programme across the 20 LGAs of the State.
He noted that 73 Clusters formed in all the 20 LGAs across the State; 320 Million increase of income for beneficiaries; 144 per cent increase of jobs (38 per cent female); Distribution of 100 Million Improved Tomato Seeds to Ogun Farmers in which farmers in all the 73 clusters benefited;
Dapo added that over 500 farmers in Ogun State received tomato seeds free of charge from the State Government; 36 Extension Agents and 33 lead farmers trained as master trainers in which training was stepped down to the 2,567 beneficiaries.
In attendance were the Ogun State Agric team which comprised of the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Adeola Odedina; Permanent Secretary, Dr Dotun Sorunke; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr Angel Adelaja- Kuye; Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Siraj Fashola; Programme Head, Crop Component-Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP), Dr. (Mrs) Modupe Abidemi; Director of Fisheries, Mrs Victoria Ojelade; Director of Livestock, Mr Adeyemi Osilalu; Director of Produce, Mr S.A Adenopo and Director of Tree Crops, Mr James Oyesola. Also present were representatives from GIZ-SEDIN Programme.
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