ONDO JDPC holds consultative meeting, urges women in agriculture
The Ondo State government authorities have been admonished to engage Agro Women Initiative towards food security in the state.
The state president of SWOFON, Mrs. Bukola Oyediji made this assertion in a stakeholders consultative meeting organized by the Ondo Justice Development and Peace Centre, JDPC, Sponsored by actionaid, on the 2022 Agriculture Budget held on Thursday at tent hall of sunview Hotel Alagbaka Akure, Ondo State.
Bukola who spoke at length on the need to prioritise Women in agriculture urged authorities to release budgeted fund at the due time to the targeted farmers to enhance productivity.
Mrs. M.O Adesina, a representative of the perm.sec of the Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. S.A Akintomide, while speaking, on importance of budget, said it is meant to respond to the needs and challenges of the people.
She hinted that Agriculture is an important aspect of human culture.
On his part, the chairman house committee on Agric, who is also the Chief-whip of Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Mohamed Taofeek Olajide, While remarking on the effect of the Fulani herders, on farming processes, the Hon. Member commends the state government on the anti open grazing law been signed.
He disclosed that the rate at which farm produce are been destroyed has drastically reduced in recent time.
Hon. Taofeek hinted the need for diversification of the state economy towards Agriculture as multiple opportunities can be tapped from it.
Mr. Tobi, a member of ACTIVISTA stressed that women should be prioritized in Agriculture.
He commends the Ondo State Government for the weight thrown towards agricultural processes and engagement of youths in agriculture through empowerment.
Speaking on the need to strengthen access to credit and financial services, (from government and non- governmental channels) by smallholder farmers particularly women, Tobi hinted that the state government, credit administrators and the relevant MDAs, should invest and make budgetary provisions for wider indigenous public awareness on credit schemes, and training on accessing credits by smallholder women farmers.
He further reiterated that the three tiers of government should commit 10% of their annual budget to the agriculture sector to meet the 10% Maputo/Malabo Declaration required to support at least 6% growth rate for the sector as postulated in the CAADP framework.
He added that there should be political will to allocate at least 10% of annual budgets and actuals of revenues to the agriculture sector with appropriate budget lines.
Mr. Kingsley Okeguale, while commending the efforts of the government on the Anti Grazing Law stressed the need to give maximum concentration on extension services