By Yinka Kolawole
The Bank of Agriculture (BoA) and Osun state Government have agreed to partner each other to enhance collaboration between them in the areas of business and farming, to boost the revenue drive and income generation in the state.
The Bank has also commenced disbursement of funds for farmers in Osun and Oyo states under the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP).
Already the Bank has disbursed N213 million to 200 fish out grower farmers and over 4,600 cassava farmers under the Anchor programme. Also, N17.5 million has already been distributed to 83 beneficiaries for arable crops, livestock, and trading.
THISDAY learnt that the Anchor programme, which is the first in the South-west region, will accommodate fish out-grower farmers and cassava out-grower farmers. It will also provide support through supply of input and technical advice to farmers in the South-west.
The Bank of Agriculture had earlier visited Erinmo-Ijesa, Erin-Ijesa, Onilapa village in Ogbagba area of Osun state to educate rice and potatoes farmers in the area. Also a mega forum was held in Osogbo, the state capital, where the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola commended the Bank for enhancing corroboration with government, and promised full collaboration with the Bank in the coming raining season on a large scale.
In his remarks, the state governor called for mass participation in agriculture as the only way to rescue the nation from her present socio-economic challenges. He said the economic situation in the country has called for the need to improve on the nation’s agricultural capacity, saying all hands must be on deck to promote farming.
Lamenting on the state of the nation’s economy, Governor Aregbesola said it has become imperative for all to do the needful in promoting agriculture. He said his government was ready to support and collaborate with any individual or group that shows interest in farming.
According to him, “with the present economic reality, it has become imperative to produce what we consume because failure to do so, we will remain dependent. Any nation that cannot feed itself will continue to be enslaved. It is time to embrace agriculture and take our minds from the money coming from the crude oil as the commodity can no longer sustain our economy.”
Expressing his administration’s readiness towards the realisation of improved farming practices in the state, Aregbesola said efforts are continuously being geared up in meeting the state’s objectives in the agriculture sector. He called on the rice farmers to double efforts at increasing their productivity, saying “Osun has the capacity to produce 20 tonnes of rice per hectare.”
Meanwhile the South-west Zonal Manager of the Bank, Mrs. Idiat Folorunsho, has appreciated the Governor for his interest in farmers and support for business relationship with BoA in Osogbo.
Also at Iseyin area of Oyo state, Folorunsho commended both Osun and Oyo state governments for showing massive interest in the scheme that is set out to alleviate poverty in the country.
At both events, the Branch Manager of Osun, Mr. Ojo Faniyi and Saliu Awotoye, the Iseyin Manager respectively expressed their support to both Osun and Oyo states for the success of the scheme.
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