Goats and Sheep: Kwara Promises Support for Ibolo Farmers

The Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has promised all the necessary support for the Goats and Sheep Farming and Investment programme of the Ibolo Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA)

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Tpl Isiaq Yinka OlorukoOba gave the assurance in his office during a Thank You visit of the Executive Committee members of ICCIMA in his office on Wednesday.

The Permanent Secretary who stood in for the Honourable Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development Mrs Toyosi Thomas commended Ibolo Chambers for the positive contributions to the economic development of Offa and Oyun Local Governments of Kwara State. He restated the commitment of the Ministry to providing necessary support as may be required from time to time.

He expressed happiness of the ministry with the training of farmers in modern goats and Sheep rearing and urged the chamber to closely monitor the participants farming to safeguard the investments in the programme.

Earlier, the President of the Chamber, Engr Paul Olagunju expressed appreciation to the Hon. Commissioner for physically attending the goats and Sheep training programme held in Obelawo Hall Ijagbo late January of this year.

The president stated that the presence and the invaluable contributions of the Hon Commissioner at the event demonstrated the commitment of the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to providing enabling environments for economic development of the state and particularly for the encouragement of private efforts towards commercial enterprises to thrive.. “It is also a testimony to the passion and commitment of the Hon Commissioner and the state Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to promoting agro allied businesses to boost economic development and eradicate poverty in Kwara State”. He said.

The Permanent Secretary (3l) and members of ICCIMA delegation at the Ministry of Agric and Rural Development.

Engr. Olagunju explained that ICCIMA) has been in the fore front of turning the potentials of Ibolo land to business ventures that will generate wealth and eradicate poverty in Offa and Oyun Local Governments Areas and that the chamber has collaborated with partners including Development Governance International Foundation (DGIF) especially in organizing agricultural value chain summit, training and workshops, identification of business opportunities and de-risking of business environment etc. for the overall benefit of people of Ibolo land.

The Goats and Sheep Training for farmers, according to him, is aimed at utilizing the animal husbandry value chain to alleviate poverty and create wealth also.

The training, he said has been used “to expose our farmers to modern general livestock management, selection of breeds and improvement of local breeds for maximum meat, milk and leather production. The training has also exposed trainees to sourcing and utilization of feeds locally and leveraging on the benefits of hydroponic plants. It exposed local farmers to climate smart animal husbandry practices and they were educated on effective marketing of whole livestock, meat etc as well as partnerships for marketing of goats and sheep”.

Engr Olagunju disclosed that, as part of next steps after the training, ICCIMA has come up with an investment programme, focusing on collaboration with governments, local and international development organizations, financial institutions and individuals.

He solicited the support and active collaboration of Kwara State government, to ensure the success of the programme. He requested for assistance for the trainees to receive all state government assistance and support, that may be available, especially through the L-PRES and other programmes as well as the proposed collaboration with the Lagos State Government on agriculture production and supplies. “We also seek the help of the state government in facilitating Ibolo agro-processing zone. The Chamber is pleading that you help to facilitate this. It is our believe that it will help transform the economy of the state and help the local producers to eradicate poverty” He said.

Engr. Olagunju disclosed further that ICCIMA is also considering harnessing huge opportunities in Sweeteners (Apiary (Honey) and Stevia) value chain.

On the ICCIMA delegation to the ministry were ICCIMA Vice President, Engr. Bashir Lawal, Chairman ICCIMA Roadmap Implementation Committee, Chief Ganiyu Daromosu and other members of the committee including Engr. Fatai Yusuf, Alhaji S.A Fowomola and Wole Alawode. ICCIMA Secretariat was represented by Mr. Kayode Akinwole.

In a related development, the Kwara State Coordinator of Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), Kwara State Mr. Soji Oyawoye has urged ICCIMA to encourage Cooperative Cluster Farming among the trained goat and sheep farmers in Ibolo area. Mr. Oyawoye stated this during a visit of some members of the ICCIMA Roadmap Implementation Committee to his office. He disclosed that this will enable the farmers to pull resources together for feeding of animals, security, management and even enjoy direct support from government and non-governmental organizations.

Presenting trainee forms and ICCIMA souvenirs to L-PRES

He commended ICCIMA for demonstrating commitment to modern and effective livestock businesses to eradicate poverty. The application forms of trainees for L-PRES project and ICCIMA souvenirs were presented to the coordinator during the visit.