The Ogun State Government has officially inaugurated a cassava processing plant and a solar-powered borehole in the Obafe community, located in Obafemi-Owode Local Council. This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance food security, promote agro-industrial development, and improve rural livelihoods. The project is being implemented under the Federal Government and Ogun State Government International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) ASSISTED-Value Chain Development Programme.
Commissioning Ceremony Highlights
During the commissioning event, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, stated that this facility will serve four farmer groups, comprising approximately 60 farmers. He noted that this marks the second major agricultural infrastructure project delivered in the area within one year. Owotomo recalled that a farmers' market and a solar-powered borehole were inaugurated in the same community about 12 months ago under the same programme. He emphasized that this initiative aligns with ongoing agricultural interventions aimed at supporting cassava farmers and enhancing value addition across the state.
Impact of OGSTEP and VCDP
Under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), over 16,000 farmers have benefited from various interventions, while more than 12,000 hectares of land have been cleared for farmers in the last two years. The Commissioner explained that farmers under the programme enjoy significant subsidies, including a 65 percent discount on land clearing and a 50 percent discount on agricultural inputs. Beneficiaries are also linked directly to off-takers. Additionally, the FGN/OGSG (IFAD ASSISTED)-VCDP programme, covering eight local government areas in the state, has delivered 16 cassava processing centres and 55 boreholes to support farming communities. This initiative aligns with the agricultural development agenda of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Programme Objectives and Future Plans
Owotomo further explained that the programme focuses on boosting food production and encouraging farmers to process their produce for increased income generation. It aims to increase real agricultural income for smallholder farmers by 80 percent, improve food productivity, reduce child malnutrition, strengthen household assets, promote climate-resilient farming practices, and enhance financial inclusion. He reaffirmed that more processing centres, markets, and solar-powered boreholes would be commissioned in other local government areas across the state. He urged beneficiaries to make effective use of the facilities to promote agro-industrialisation, stimulate economic growth, and improve livelihoods in the community and the state at large.
Stakeholder Remarks and Beneficiary Response
Earlier, the Acting State Coordinator of the programme, Mrs. Abiola Sobukola, described the projects as another milestone in the state's efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve rural livelihoods. She stressed that the cassava processing centre would enhance cassava value addition within the benefiting community, while the solar-powered borehole would provide reliable access to clean and sustainable water for both processing activities and domestic use. She maintained that the interventions align with the agricultural development agenda of Governor Dapo Abiodun, aimed at promoting food security, job creation, and rural empowerment. The Coordinator thanked the commissioner for his leadership and other stakeholders for their support, and enjoined beneficiaries to take ownership of the facilities and ensure their proper use and maintenance for the benefit of present and future generations. Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Saubana Ojetola and Mrs. Kikelomo Ogunsan appreciated the state government for its continuous support to ensure food security, promising to make judicious use of the facility.
