kwara state government says the two thousand five hundred and fifty hectares of land secured for farming activities by the Kwara State government under its Off-takers Demand Driven Agriculture (ODDA) scheme have been oversubscribed by youth farmers in the State.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Bamidele Adegoke, who disclosed this in Ilorin, expressed delight that more youth are showing interest in agriculture. He added that people need to consider agriculture as a business venture. Adegoke also clarified that the State government is not acquiring land from communities for the estate farm development, but collaborating with communities that are willing to provide land for farming activities.
He listed the communities where the government has secured land for the estate farms to include Oke-oyi, Ejidongari, Esie, Agbamu, Reke, Malete, Alateko, Ekan, Ballah, Isin, Share, Shonga, Bode-Saadu and Owode-Ofaro. The Commissioner also said over 1000 farmers are targeted to be empowered and settled on the estate farms, adding that women and unemployed youths will be given priority.
In a related development, the Special Adviser to the governor on Agriculture and Rural Water Support Services, Mr. Anu Ibiwoye says
says the one billion naira loan facility approved by the State House of Assembly will be disbursed to peasant farmers across the 16 local governments of the State. He explained that the loan facility is to be obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under its Anchor Borrowers programme, stressing that the State government is standing as guarantor for the farmers to enable them access the fund.
Ibiwoye also stated that the facility will enhance agricultural activities at the local level and ensure food security, job creation and poverty reduction.
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