The earlier decision by His Excellency Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun to authorise and support farming activities during COVID 19 extensive lockdown with health and safety advice is beginning to yield.
This was disclosed by the Executive Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun, MFR, at flagged off Harvesting of 2020 Wet Season Rice planted ceremony at Sowunmi Village, Mokoloki, Obafemi Owode Local Government, on Monday, 10th August, 2020.
The Governor Abiodun who was represented by Ogun state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina said the Rice which was planted in March 2020 at the onset of COVID-19 lock down, was the focal point of the flag off of the Wet Season Rice Harvest in Ogun State under the Ogun State/Federal Government of Nigeria/International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP).
The commissioner, stated that the Governor of Ogun state, Prince Dapo Abiodun approved all necessary support to the youth farmers by clearing the land,, and giving seeds, funding and input during the COVID-19 pendemic Lockdown in March 2020.
He said that the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun understood the complexity of the trade which could place the State as Nigeria's centre of food supply, and therefore had keen interest in empowering the youth to be productive in the sector.
The Ogun Youth Rice Production Enterprise which operates presently in all rice growing locations spread across Ten LGAs in the State had earlier harvested dry season rice in April 2020, and are still planting new fields while harvesting; which signifies all year rice production in Ogun State. The earlier decision by His Excellency to approve and support farming activities during COVID-19 extensive lockdown with Health and Safety Advisories and Guidelines, is beginning to yield visible fruits.
Dr. Odedina said "the Project is operating in Ten Local Government Councils But harvesting is being done now in four LGs while Other locations are still Planting"
Ogun Agric Team which was led by the Commissioner for Agriculture, had the Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Project Coordinator, Ogun State/FGN/IFAD VCDP Project and all Directors in Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture, present at the occasion. Other dignitaries present were Hon. Soneye Kayode, Honourable Member representing Obafemi Owode Constituency in Ogun State House of Assembly, Chairman, Obafemi Owode Local Government, Traditional Rulers, Village Heads and others.
