Fadama farmers in Oyo State have been advised to remain focused and use resources available to them judiciously for increased food yield.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Mr. Peter Odetomi, spoke on Thursday during the disbursement of N12m to Fadama user groups in 10 participating local government councils of the state.
The event held at the Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme, Ibadan/Ibarapa zonal headquarters, Moor Plantation, Ibadan.
The fund, the commissioner said, was for the acquisition of productive assets.
Odetomi said the fund, which was disbursed under the first phase of the Fadama III project, was to aggressively promote agricultural production in the state.
He said, “Let me, at this juncture, charge beneficiaries of today’s funding to reciprocate the good gesture of the state government by making judicious use of the fund.
“I want to appeal that you should use this opportunity to improve your lot as agriculture is the main driver of our economy and the state government is vigorously pursuing its goal of eradicating poverty, generating employment and reducing the incidence of rural-urban drift through the promotion of agriculture.
“I urge you all to be forward-looking for sustainability and effective management of assets acquired through the project as well as ensure proper management of funds provided.”
According to him, the state is participating in the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda through the production of cassava, cocoa, oil palm, cotton, maize/soyabeans, fisheries and livestock.
The Fadama III State Project Coordinator, Mr. Nath Olayinka, said the programme was geared towards reducing poverty among the rural populace.
“The objective of the third National Fadama Development Project is to increase the income of users of rural land and water resources on a sustainable basis. The project is used to support the administration’s transformation agenda of the state,” Olayinka said.
A total of N49,870,944 has been earmarked for disbursement, out of which N12,112,277.50 has so far been disbursed.
A pre-disbursement training was organised for the benefiting groups before the distribution of cheques on Thursday.