Ogun govt empowers 160 women farmers with chickens, others

No fewer than 160 women farmers from eight local government areas of Ogun State, under the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), have received 480 chickens and 2,160 garden seedlings to boost food production across the state.

The beneficiaries, drawn from Odeda, Obafemi-Owode, Ifo, Odogbolu, Ijebu North-East, Yewa South, Yewa North, and Ijebu East LGAs of the state, include nursing mothers, youths, adults, and pregnant women.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, during the flag-off of the exercise at OGADEP, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, on Tuesday, said the initiative aimed to improve the livelihood of women farmers and enhance the well-being of the people.

Owotomo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Kehinde Jokotoye, noted that the empowerment would not only boost household income but also increase the availability of eggs for consumption, reduce malnutrition, and build a healthier society.

He noted that through the women, the state will achieve food security and economic prosperity.

Owotomo said, “Your commitment to agriculture and resilience are remarkable. You are the backbone of our rural economy, and through your efforts, Ogun State will continue to achieve food security and economic prosperity.

“The initiative will increase household income, with the potential for families to produce an average of 30 eggs monthly to meet their nutritional needs, create the opportunity to sell surplus eggs, boost their overall well-being, and enable them to eat fresh, organic produce to ensure better control of their diet with continuous access to animal protein in a sustainable manner.”

In her remarks, the Acting Project Coordinator, VCDP, Temitope Ajisafe, stressed that empowering women in the state, especially in the area of nutrition for every household, would boost productivity and health among families.

She explained that each beneficiary was given three chickens, along with their feed, varieties of home garden seedlings, and fertilizers, urging them to adhere strictly to instructions on how to use them.

Victoria Shobande, the Acting Programme Manager, OGADEP, said the chickens and seedlings distributed, such as banana, orange, and sweet brown potato, among others, were carefully selected because of their high nutritional value, imploring beneficiaries to nurture them well to fully enjoy the benefits.

Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Oluwafemi Olabiran and Barakat Olubaje, from Ijebu East and Odeda Local Government Areas (LGAs), respectively, appreciated the state government, promising that each household would make good use of the items distributed to enhance their nutrition.

Other seedlings distributed included pumpkin, plantain, soursop, pawpaw, tomato, and pepper.