Southwest seeks NADF collaboration to enhance agriculture, create employment

South Western states of Nigeria have sought the collaboration of the National Agricultural Development Fund, (NADF) in order to improve on their productivity as well creation of employment opportunity. 

Representatives of the six states including the stakeholders at a meeting facilitated by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, (DAWN) with the management of NADF in Ibadan highlighted their various areas where they needed the support of the Agency especially in the area of funding 

The representatives of Lagos State at the meeting placed premium on the  establishment of agro-produce hubs and improving value chains in rice, coconut, red meat, poultry, fishery and piggery while their Ekiti state counterpart the case for cocoa, oil palm, rice, poultry, and small ruminants as priority value chains.

They also stresses the need for  upgrading of farmstead infrastructure, processing and storage facilities, mechanisation support services, and land use map.

Ogun State spoke of its comparative advantage in the region for production of cassava, poultry, and the cargo airport and need funding to increase their output while Ondo State wanted funding support for land development, climate smart agriculture, seedling development, forest regeneration and development of priority value chains.

Osun State sought funding support for rural road rehabilitation, upgrading of farm settlement and establishment of new ones, climate smart initiatives, high-yield seedlings, and capacity building within priority value chain.

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.

In his address, the Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim said that NADF is focusing on improving agricultural output, import substitution, and employment generation in alignment with Mr. President’s agenda and the mission of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to transform Nigeria into an agricultural economy.”

He commended the efforts of the comvener,(DAWN) of the meeting, saying it would go a long way in strengthening the bilateral relationship between NDAF and the affected states.

“it is very gratifying that through DAWN Commission, we have the six states of the southwest articulate their different positions. I don’t know if I have seen this model elsewhere. 

“I noticed the well-articulated agricultural policies of the states which shows purposeful leadership. We expect to proceed into working groups to see how we can now deliver our mandate.”

Also in his address, the Director General of DAWN, Seye Oyeleye said the organisation is “the best platform to meet the six states of the region” and assured all stakeholders of “our readiness to ensure best practices is adopted.” 

Delegations from the six states were led by the commissioners for agriculture in Ekiti, Ogun, and Osun, Hon. Boluwade Ebenezer, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, and Hon. Tola Faseru, respectively; as well as representatives of the Lagos, Ondo and Oyo States ministries of agriculture, Audu Emmanuel, Ogunmola Edwards and Olufunke Adeniran respectively.