ODSG inaugurates C’ttee for FAO, GEF-funded project
The Ondo State Government has inaugurated the State Project Management Committee and Multi-stakeholders’ platform for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded project; Food System, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program in the Niger Delta.
This committee is tasked with overseeing the implementation of projects aimed at enhancing food security, sustainable land use, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the state.
The focus will be on cocoa, palm oil, and forestry to bolster the state’s economy.
As one of the selected States in the Niger Delta region, Ondo State collaborates with the Federal Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment, and the National Project Management Unit of the FAO Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The goal is to promote sustainable food systems and integrated landscape management.
The project will be implemented in eight local government areas: Akure South, Idanre, Ondo West, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Owo, Odigbo, Okitipupa, and Irele.
High Chief Olayato Aribo, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, inaugurated the committee.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Foluke Tunde-Daramola, Aribo expressed gratitude to the FAO and the Federal Government for including Ondo State in the FAO GEF-7 Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration (FOLUR) pilot programme.
The programme aims to transform cocoa and oil palm production systems and landscapes in the Niger Delta towards sustainability and resilience.
This will be achieved through integrated landscape management, sustainable and inclusive value chains for cocoa and oil palm, conservation and restoration of degraded forests, and effective knowledge management and monitoring.
In her own speech, Mrs. Tunde-Daramola highlighted the Ministry’s commitments to partnering with the project team and other stakeholders to promote sustainable cocoa and oil palm value chains.
Prof. Adebayo Shittu, the Chief Technical Advisor of FAO GEF-7 noted that Ondo State will serve as the project headquarters for the participating States, including Cross River State.
Dr Abel Adegboyega Odeyemi, the State Project Coordinator of FAO GEF-7 pledged his team’s commitment to achieving the project’s objectives.
The event was attended by key figures such as Prof. Oladapo Akinyemi, the National Project Coordinator of FAO GEF-7 , Mrs. Margaret Adesina, Programme Manager of the Ondo State Agricultural Development Project; and Mr. Akeem Ogundeko, the State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
