Disbursement
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, March 21, 2018 (NAN) The Oyo State FADAMA III Additional Financing Project will soon disburse N300million to 50 farmers cooperative groups, its Project Coordinator, Mr Natt Olayinka, has said.
Olayinka disclosed this on Wednesday in Ibadan at a workshop organised by the FADAMA III on strengthening linkages between farmers, off-takers and agro-dealers.
He noted that the 50 farmers groups made up of 30 cassava and 20 rice groups.
“ The N300 million grant is specifically for rice and cassava farmers in the state.
“ The farmers have problems of funds, so the intervention will help solve the problem and increase their production.
“Farmers should make sure they register with cooperative groups because that is a sure condition to access any fund from FADAMA III Additional Financing Project.
“Very soon, we will invite them for the disbursement of the fund,” he said.
Olayinka also noted that the disbursement was in line with the project’s objective to ensure sustainable increase in farmers’/rural dwellers income, enhance farm productivity and ensure food security.
“In the previous years, we disbursed funds to rice farmers for cultivation of the crop in dry season; we also trained over 1,000 on agriculture productions.
“About 280 FADAMA Guys, unemployed graduates, were also trained for two weeks on various agric enterprises with the essence being to make them entrepreneurs,” he said.
The Coordinator also warned agro-dealers against selling fake products to farmers to avoid the bad effects of the products on farm produce.
He also urged the farmers to make farming a business and not just a hobby.
Also speaking, FADAMA Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Dr Oyedele Adekunle, said challenges such as selling fake chemicals to farmers by agro-dealers would be part of the workshop’s discussions.
“The issues of herdsmen eating up farm produce, farmers buying on credit from agro-dealers without paying later among others will all be discussed at the programme,” he said. (NAN)
CC/GOM/OJO
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(Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Mufutau Ojo)