The International Fund for Agricultural Development Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in Niger Delta (IFAD/Life-ND) project in Ondo State, has expressed its readiness to train every segment of society, especially Persons with Disability, to embrace farming.
The Ondo IFAD/Life-ND Institution Gender and Youth Officer, Mrs. Bola Ajibade, who stated this during a session with persons with disability in Akure, said this will help to transform agriculture, rural economies and food systems.
Ajibade said the project centers on engaging young men and women to take up farming as a way of life but said persons with disabilities are still invisible and often left behind in the agricultural sector.
She noted that the people are under-represented but listed four areas they can be involved in farming activities to include fishery, cassava, poultry and and piggery.
According to her, those to be engaged are called incubates, and would undergo practical learning experience supervised by an established farmer called incubator.
She said they would be supervised for a few months during which IFAD/Life-ND would be supporting them with stipend for transportation.
She added that the incubates would thereafter be given working tools and equipment worth millions of naira to take off and become self-employed and employers of labour.
In his address, Mr. Bodunwa Isaiah, the State Agribusiness Promotion Officer, charged the participants to learn the skill of running agriculture as a business.
According to him, agriculture yields more profit when run as a business and not for subsistence.
Speaking, the Chairman Agency for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, Folasade Arise, commended Ifad/Life-nd, Ondo Project Office for counting the participants worthy to partake in the interactive program.
Arise explained that most of the people have expressed interest in farming, adding that physical challenge will not hinder their participation in farming.
She maintained that people with disabilities can be more successful in farming, saying they should be encouraged to embrace farming through provision of necessary support.
She called on the government to raise awareness of PwD and overcome stigma among rural development professionals and communities.
“The goal is for PwD, particularly women and youth with disabilities, to become active participants in rural development projects that are tailored to fit the specific profiles of their disabilities” she said
According to her, people living with disabilities are doing well in various fields and farming and agriculture would not be different if given the opportunity as others.
She, however, called for support of the government and IFAD/Life-ND and enlist them to partake in the program organized by the agricultural agency, as she expressed their readiness to contribute to agricultural development in the state.
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