BOA To Partner With Osun Govt, Farmers In South West.
As part of its resolve to diversify economy using agriculture,Bank of Agriculture and Osun state Government had agreed to partner with each other to enhance collaboration between them in the area of business and farming.
The Bank has also commenced disbursement of funds for farmers in Osun and Oyo states under the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP).
Already the Bank had disbursed 213million to 200 fish out grower farmers and over 4,600 cassava farmers under anchors programme. Also, 17.5 million naira had already been distributed to 83 beneficiaries for arable crops, livestock, and trading.
The Anchor programme which is the first in the South-West will accommodate fish out grower farmers and cassava out growers Farmers. The Anchor programme will also provide degree of support through supply of input and technical advice to farmers in South-West.
However, the Bank of Agriculture had 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.
Aresgbesola promised full collaboration with the Bank in the coming raining season in a large scale. In his remarks, the state Governor Rauf Aregbesola 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. Aregbesola 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”, he added.
Expressing the readiness of his administration towards the realisation of an improved farming practices in the state, Governor Aregbesola said efforts continue to be geared up in meeting the state objectives on agriculture sector. He called on the rice farmers to double efforts at increasing their productivity, saying “Osun has the capacity to produce 20 tones of rice per hectare”.
Meanwhile the South West Zonal Manager of the Bank, Mrs Idiat Folorunsho therefore appreciated Governor Rauf Aregbesola, for his interest in farmers and support for business relationship with BOA in Osogbo. Also at Iseyin area of Oyo state, the South West Zonal Manager, Mrs Idiat 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 the two events, the Branch Manager of Osun, Mr Ojo Faniyi and Saliu Awotoye, the Iseyin Mnager respectively expressed their support to both Osun and Oyo for the success of the scheme.
