ODDA Scheme Will Creat Employment, Boost Food Production-Kwara Commissioner
Oyewale Oyelola, Ilorin
The Kwara State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr Bamidele Adegoke has disclosed that the Offtakers Demand Driven Agriculture (ODDA) scheme drive employment, boost food production and diversity the State’s economy.
The State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr Bamidele Adegoke stated this on Monday while inspecting the 400 hectare Oke-oyi Estate Farm – one of several under the scheme.
The State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr Bamidele Adegoke revealed this on Monday while inspecting the 400 hectare Oke-oyi Estate Farm – one of several under the scheme.
Adegoke said through ODDA, the State government has ensured farmers have ready markets for their farm produce, thereby eliminating cost of storage and minimizing post-harvest losses.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Agriculture, Mr Anu Ibiwoye, who was also on the inspection team, urged beneficiaries to take the programme serious and advised those who are not currently participating or benefiting from programme to look towards the next phase and embrace it.
One of the youth beneficiaries, Mr Kazeem Azeez, commended the State government for the initiative, which he said has gainfully employed him.
He urged youths who are still seeking limited white collar jobs to go back to farm.
Mohammed Saliu, another youth beneficiary, noted that the Kwara State government provided all the input needed for him to succeed in farming.
He said that the selection process for the scheme was free and fair as he walked into the Kwara Agro Mall, registered and followed the process through.
Governor Ahmed-led administration introduced the scheme to employ over a thousand youth in Kwara Govt’s Estate Farms.
The government had secured 2550 hectares of land for the estate farms include Ejidongari, Esie, Agbamu, Reke, Malete, Alateko, Ekan, Ballah, Isin, Share, Shonga, Bode-Saadu, Oki-Oyi and Owode-Ofaro.
