…allots 100 hectares of land
Ahmed Shuaib
The Ogun State Governor,Dapo Abiodun has approved 100 hectares of land within Moshood Abiola Polytechnic for the launch of Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) anchors borrowers programme.
Head Public Relations and Protocol of the Polytechnic,Mr Yemi Ajibola made this known in a statement.
Ajibola said the CBN’s initiative was set to increase farmer’s productivity and turn the state to the food basket of the nation thereby increasing general consumption and national development.
He noted that the Governor has directed the clearing of 100 hectares of land.
“Towards boosting Agric development in Ogun State, His Excellency,Dapo Abiodun has approved clearing of 100 hectares of land to launch Central Bank Anchor Borrowers initiative.
“Presently, about 60 hectares of land have been cleared in MAPOLY out of the 100 hectares allocated for Anchor Borrowers programme in cassava cultivation.”
The Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture,Dr. Samson Odedina disclosed that land clearing exercise in Moshood Polytechnic,Abeokuta as one of the beneficiaries was mainly for the cultivation of cassava.
He noted that a hectare of land would be allotted to Entrepreneurship students as a way of empowering the youths and encouraging young Entrepreneurs in farming as well as interested members of Staff of the Polytechnic.
“The focus of agriculture in the state is to link farmers to industries, and get raw materials from them and the Government cannot do it alone, that is why we are doing the Public-Private Partnership,” the Commissioner said.
“We have off-takers (representatives of industries and factories) in our midst to off-take cassava from the farmers, as the CBN is ready to make the State a model for cassava production in Nigeria, as it would be a model to some other states in the country,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Acting Rector of the Polytechnic,Dr. Adeoye Odedeji, has commended the state government for inclusion of MAPOLY in the scheme.
Odedeji stated the opportunity would enhance smooth and speedy actualization of the proposed Agricultural Technology department in the Institution.
