An Ogun State chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Engr Segun Kaka has lauded the government of Prince Dapo Abiodun for his dedicated interest in developing the agricultural sector and in turn create employment for the youths while also making the state the food basket of the nation.
Engr Segun Kaka gave this commendation while speaking with journalists at Abeokuta, the state capital over his plans to support the agricultural drive of the present administration with the empowerment of 1000 youths in agricbusiness.
Kaka who is eyeing the seat of Ijebu North constituency II at Ogun State House of Assembly come 2023 said " the efforts of Gov Dapo Abiodun in the development of our agricultural sector in the area of poultry, maize and cassava planting etc is worthy of commendation and this is serving as our source of inspiration to also invest in this very critical sector of our economy".
He said "what we hope to do under this scheme is to leverage on the abundant opportunities in agricbusiness and provide jobs for our army of the unemployed youths while also boosting our food security"
Kaka explained that under this agric initiative which is in partnership with International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan and Ogun State government, 1000 young farmers from Ifelodun
Community Association (IFECA Model) Ijebu North local government would be empowered with one acre of land each in accordance with the CBN backed Anchor Borrowers programme to plant crops such as maize, cassava among others.
He said "we are also in talks with IITA to provide all the necessary technical support such as training of the young farmers in the art of modern farming, provision of hybrid seedlings and cassava stem, sourcing for off takers as well as linking the farmers with investors willing to be part of this laudable initiative. We are equally into partnership with GIZ, Nigerian Incentive-based Risk Sharing system for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) among others.
The APC chieftain explained that Ogun State government has equally approved hectares of land for this agric venture while a tractor for this initiative has also been acquired by the initiator, Engr Segun Kaka.
He revealed further that the scheme which would kick off next year January 29 at Mamu was his own little way of supporting the government to boost food production and also leverage on the abundant wealth in agricbusiness to get people of his constituency meaningfully engaged.
Kaka has also hailed the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Adeola Odedina and his team led by the Permanent Secretary for embracing this initiative and working round the clock to ensure that the dream becomes a reality.
He however also urged the state government to double its efforts for this initiative most importantly as it concerns empowerment of the youths, as it is a well known fact that now nation can grow or attain its full potential without conssiderable investment in the youth.
Kaka also used the medium to appeal to all sons and daughters of the constituency comprising of Ago Iwoye, Oru Ijebu, Awa and Ilaporu to embrace and support this agric initiative for a resounding success.
The Secretary of IFECA Model, Jagunmolu Akeem Ademosu also lauded this initiative describing it as one veritable platform to empower the young farmers and make farming attractive and lucrative adding that it was a good move to boost food production and combat unemployment in the state.
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