The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Ministries of Agriculture in the six South West states have opened discussion on how to fund agriculture in the region.
Following the conclusion of a two-day meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Tuesday evening, stakeholders made a commitment to prioritise areas that can access funding in the immediate future in the six states.
The meeting, facilitated by DAWN Commission, also had in attendance some private sector organisations.
Commissioners for Agriculture in the six states made presentations on past and current agricultural initiatives and outlined future plans to make a compelling case for funding support from NADF.
While Lagos State sought funding for establishment of agro-produce hubs and improving value chains in rice, coconut, red meat, poultry, fishery and piggery, Ekiti made case for cocoa, oil palm, rice, poultry, and small ruminants as priority value chains, upgrading of farmstead infrastructure, processing and storage facilities, mechanisation support services, and land use map.
Ogun State spoke of its comparative advantage in the region for production of cassava, poultry, and the cargo airport and its need for funding to increase their output.
Ondo State wanted funding support for land development, climate smart agriculture, seedling development, forest regeneration and development of priority value chains.
Osun State sought funding support for rural road rehabilitation, upgrading of farm settlements and establishment of new ones, climate smart initiatives, high-yield seedlings, and capacity building within priority value chain.
Oyo State sought funding to support ongoing initiatives by the state government on mechanised farming, viable seed production, climate smart agriculture, processing and storage facilities, and farm service centres.
The NADF delegation was led by its Executive Secretary, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, while the DAWN Commission team was led by the Director-General, Seye Oyeleye. They were joined by representatives of Odu’a Investments Company Limited (OICL) and others.
Ibrahim told the stakeholders that NADF was focusing on improving agricultural output, import substitution, and employment generation in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda and the mission of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to transform Nigeria into an agricultural economy.
Expressing satisfaction with the move, the NADF boss, said: “It is very gratifying that through DAWN Commission, we have the six states of the South West articulate their different positions. I don’t know if I have seen this model elsewhere. I noticed the well-articulated agricultural policies of the states which shows purposeful leadership. We expect to proceed into working groups to see how we can now deliver our mandate.”
In his opening remark, Oyeleye said DAWN is “the best platform to meet the six states of the region,” assuring all stakeholders of “our readiness to ensure best practices is adopted.”
The meeting moved to the (IITA) on the second day where further partnership opportunities were explored with the Deputy Director-General, Dr. Kenton Dashiell and IITA’s Head of Administration and Corporate Governance, Mr Wole Oladokun.
