The Oyo State Government has announced plans to establish and package Shea butter production centres across the state as part of efforts to transform agricultural resources into wealth and create employment opportunities for residents.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi disclosed this during a town hall sensitisation meeting on Shea butter production held with representatives of Shea butter producers from Saki West, Saki East and Atisbo Local Government Areas at the Saki West Secretariat.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Bureau of Investment and Public Partnership, Mrs. Folakemi Akinleye, Governor Ajimobi said machinery had been put in place to develop the Shea butter sector and position its products for global markets.
He stressed the need to turn the state’s abundant natural resources into economic opportunities by improving agricultural production, processing and packaging, while creating reliable marketing platforms that would enable Oyo products to compete favourably in local and international markets.
Ajimobi also appealed to tree fellers to stop cutting Karite Shea butter trees and palm kernel trees, urging them to support government efforts to preserve the valuable economic resources.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Mr. Oyewole Oyewumi, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Victor Atilola, said the programme was designed to expose Shea butter producers to modern production techniques and the economic benefits of the industry.
Oyewumi urged Shea butter producers and other stakeholders to take advantage of government opportunities by identifying genuine parcels of land that could be allocated to individuals or groups willing to invest in agricultural production in the state.
Oyo Trains Cassava, Rice Farmers
In a related development, the Oyo State Government has commenced capacity-building training for cassava and rice farmers in the state who are beneficiaries of the FADAMA III Additional Financing Project.
Speaking at a pre-disbursement and capacity-building training organised for the farmers at the Farmers Hall, OYSADEP Building, Ibadan, Oyewumi said the state was ready to participate fully in the Federal Government’s agricultural promotion policy for 2016–2020, tagged “The Green Alternative.”
According to him, Oyo State would take advantage of the policy to secure additional agricultural extension workers who would disseminate improved agricultural technologies and farming practices to farmers across the state.
He explained that the pre-disbursement training was designed to strengthen the capacity of cassava and rice farmers, improve crop production and ensure effective implementation of the FADAMA III Additional Financing Project.
“Statistics and evidence show that Oyo State is a leading producer of cassava and, therefore, we are selected for production of cassava and rice under the FADAMA III Additional Financing Programme,” Oyewumi said.
He added that the state’s comparative advantage and existing capacity in the production of the two major staple crops also contributed to its selection under the programme.
The commissioner further pointed to the recently launched Oyo State Agricultural Initiative (OYSAI), saying it was aimed at boosting agricultural production and encouraging greater youth participation in farming.
According to him, the initiative would support interested youths through land allocation and the provision of agricultural inputs.
In his remarks, the State Project Coordinator of the FADAMA III Additional Financing Project, Mr. Nathaniel Olayinka, disclosed that farmers from 14 Local Government Areas had fulfilled the necessary requirements to benefit from the programme.
Olayinka explained that the training was also designed to clearly communicate the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders involved in the implementation of the project.
He added that another major objective was to build the capacity of beneficiaries and equip them with the knowledge required to improve productivity and achieve better results from their farming activities.
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