On Wednesday, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State, announced that his administration has allocated over N2.25 billion towards the enhancement of aquaculture, with the objective of promoting food security.
This announcement was made during the official commencement of fish harvesting in the Ijako Ota region of the state, where the governor emphasized that this achievement was facilitated through collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Governor Abiodun further indicated that his administration is actively working to diminish reliance on imports and to establish the state as a leader in inland aquaculture.
The Governor of Ogun State expressed gratitude to the World Bank and the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) team for their ongoing support and dedication to enhancing the livelihoods of the state’s residents.
He emphasized that the OGSTEP initiative was designed to bolster the economy through targeted investments in agriculture.
Specifically, in the realm of aquaculture, the program has provided assistance to over 3,400 fish farmers throughout the state. Each farmer received 72 bags of high-quality feed, with the government subsidizing 30 percent of the total cost. In aggregate, more than 179,000 bags have been distributed, amounting to an investment of approximately ₦2.25 billion.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, previously stated that the program has positively affected more than 3,000 farmers within the state, including a collective group of over 700 fish farmers. He highlighted that the nation relies on imports for approximately 55 percent of its fish supply, while Ogun State’s production stands at 40,000 tonnes, in contrast to a demand exceeding 100,000 tonnes.
Furthermore, he disclosed that the current administration, under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, has allocated a minimum of N5.4 billion to bolster various agricultural initiatives.
Prince Dapo Abiodun emphasized on the significance of agriculture as a vital economic sector, highlighting his administration’s dedication to expanding the cluster model throughout the state. He underscored the ongoing efforts to enhance access to financial resources, agricultural inputs, infrastructure, markets, and technology, all aimed at positioning Ogun State as the premier location for agribusiness in Nigeria.
Source: Tribune Online
