Ondo state government will spend not less than N400million on Fadama 111 project in 2023 to alleviate poverty among the people and to promote food security.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Olayato Aribo stated this at the free distribution of full complement of barbecue equipment to jobless persons who have been trained through the project in the art of barbecue in the state.
He said that the project is going to spend more than N200million on distribution of inputs to farmers and N200million on distribution of assets and that 24 rural access roads have been earmarked for rehabilitation across the State.
Aribo commended the Federal Government for the implementation of the Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus [NG-CARES] saying that more farmers and jobless persons have been empowered with production equipment.
He described the development as a point of contact to many meaningful interventions the NG-CARES programme has made through Fadama III Project in the State for the past few weeks.
While appreciating the Federal Government and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his support in creating the enabling environment for the success recorded on the project in the State,
Aribo urged beneficiaries to ensure that they use the equipment productively to improve their standard of living , the state and the country at large.
Earlier, state Fadama III Project Coordinator, Mr. Olusiji Olatunji disclosed that over 5,000 farmers will be reached before the year runs out.
“ The Programme has three Disbursement Link Indicators which involves inputs/services, improved agricultural infrastructures and agricultural production assets. For some weeks now we have been distributing both inputs and production assets to our farmers, “
“Today, we have specifically invited Mr Commissioner here to be part of the giant stride the Project is making in the Result Area 2 of the NG-CARES’’
According to him the youths were targeted due to the level of their vulnerability and potential risk they may pose to the society if left unattended to.
“we have trained them in the business of making barbecue with fish. They are all experts, infact after the training they are all eager to start the business’’
“Each of the beneficiaries received a barbecue stand, pot, fry pan, cutting board, gas cylinder, manual blender, flat knife, a roll of foil paper, a bag of charcoal and cash gift of N10,000 to start off.
A beneficiary, Mr. Ehinmisan Daniel on behalf of others affirmed that the gesture would finally push them out of loitering and other unproductive ventures they had involved themselces.
