FG, IFAD Train Farmers In Agric Production

The Federal Government in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development and a Non-Governmental Organisation, the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Niger Delta has trained no fewer than 1,180 farmers in Ondo State this year.

It was gathered that the project, tagged, IFAD/LIFE-ND was designed to support Nigeria’s agricultural policy and the strategic framework for youth empowerment and job creation.

Speaking at a media round table held in Akure, the state capital on Friday, the Ondo State Coordinator of the IFAD/LIFE-ND project, Mr Adewale Ademola, said the project took place in 10 local government areas of the state with youths and women being the beneficiaries.

Represented by the State Rural Institution Gender and Unit Officer of the project, Mrs Bola Ajibade, the state coordinator also stated that the beneficiaries were youths and women drawn from rural areas in the 10 local government.

According to him, the local governments where the project took place include; Owo, Akoko South- West, Akoko North-West, Akure North and Idanre Local Government Areas.
Others are, Ondo East, Irele, Ilaje, Ese-Odo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Areas. He said each of the council areas had 10 communities where the project took place.
According to him, the 920 beneficiaries farmers have duly completed their legal agreement between them and the project.

He said, “We have trained and empowered 260 youths and women on agricultural products such as livestock, aquaculture and crops productions.

“Presently, 920 beneficiaries have enrolled with the project and they have been trained. Very soon they will move out from the IFAD centre to be empowered by the project.

“So, if you add the previous 260 beneficiaries with the new beneficiaries of 920, it shows that a total of 1,180 youths and women that have benefited from the IFAD/ LIFE-ND Project in Ondo state this year.
“This is the major achievement that we have recorded as far as employment of beneficiaries in Ondo State 2022. So, the IFAD/ LIFE-ND is not only about youths empowerment but also to improve food security in the society, increase income generation and economy diversification, among others.”

Ademola noted that some of the incubatees (also known as trainees) empowered had started their own businesses and have become flourishing entrepreneurs but he noted that the project team in the state still carried out monitoring visits to their project sites.

Daily News Reporters