FAO visits GEF7 FOLUR-IP project implementation in Ondo
The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO Nigeria) begins supervisory mission across project landscapes in Ondo state to assess the progress of implementation of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration Impact Program project (FOLUR-IP) in the state.
The mission was lead by FAO Climate Change/ GEF Portfolio Specialist, Mrs. Nifesimi Ogunkua who commenced her mission with a stakeholders meeting on Tuesday 13th August, 2024 at Ministry of Agriculture Conference Hall, Akure.
The eight benefiting local government areas are Akure South, Idanre, Ondo West, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Owo, Odigbo, Okitipupa, and Irele.
Speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, FAO Climate Change Specialist, Mrs. Nifemi Ogunkua stated that the project is designed to transform the Niger Delta’s cocoa and palm oil production systems to promote sustainable cocoa and oil palm value chains.
Nifesimi who is also the focal point of Global Environment Facility for other projects across African Regions, assured the state of quality supervisory oversight during the implementation to ensure the Nigeria FOLUR-IP project is a global success story.
“My mission is more of a technical quality control mission and also a supervisory mission,” she said.
The first component of the project focuses on Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) where small holder farmers will be trained on sustainable land use approaches and equally mapped into clusters, an activity which she can confirm is well under implementation.
“The second component, mainly on sustainable cocoa and oil palm, is to support smallholder farmers to ensure an increase in production while promoting ecosystem health within the landscape they operate.”
“The third component will support smallholder farmers as well as protected areas, to restore forests areas that have been depleted for ecosystem benefits.”
While the last component of the project is on communication, advocacy, knowledge management and monitoring/evaluation.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Tunde-Daramola, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to providing the necessary support for the success of the project in the state.
Likewise, SA to Ondo State Governor on Environment, Hon. Dr Adeyemi Olayemi assured FAO Nigeria of the continued support and commitment of the state to the GEF project. Dr. Adeyemi also led the teams and Mrs Nifesimi to inspect work being done at the proposed site for the project office at the Innovation Centre.
In his reaction, the Administrative Secretary of Cocoa Revolution, Mr. Omolakin Anthony, appreciated FAO for extending the program to Ondo State. He mentioned that significant efforts have been expended on various activities before reaching the implementation stage.
This includes the development of concept notes, stakeholders workshops, preparation of project documents, state-level validation of the project document, national-level workshop validation, among several other activities.
According to him, the landscape of the state in terms of cocoa and oil palm production systems would be improved if the project is fully implemented.
The Ondo State Coordinator of the FAO GEF-7 Project, Dr. Odeyemi Abel, who earlier introduced the visiting team, appreciated them for visiting the state and ensuring that the implementation is taking place.
He appreciated the State Government and also canvassed for more support in order to effectively achieve the desired success for the project in Ondo State.
