By Funmilayo Ikuedurani, Ondo.
No fewer than two hundred thousand (200,000) broiler day old chicks have been distributed free to 4,000 poultry farmers under the Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus NG-CARES programme in Ondo State.
The Project Coordinator of Fadama III project in Ondo State, Mr. Olusiji Olatunji revealed this to newsmen during the second tranche of disbursement of inputs to beneficiary farmers across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State. He declared that Fadama III Project is implementing and delivering results in the Result Area 2 (RA2) of the NG-CARES programme in Ondo State.
He explained that the RA2 is with the purpose of increasing food security and safe functioning of food supply chains. Mr. Olatunji in his words “the Project is providing a stimulus pack for poultry farmers who have adversely been affected by the slow down or lockdown caused by Covid-19 pandemic. Most of the farmers sold off their stocks cheaply as a result of the lockdown”
“Each farmer benefitted 50 broilers and 6 bags of poultry feed and medication” According to him, “our intention is that at the end of 3 months they would sell and restock and resolve the fund so they can continue in business” He added that the free distribution of broilers to farmers is just an aspect of the input component of the RA2, just as cassava production inputs, acquaculture inputs, maize inputs, rice inputs, leafy vegetable, including necessary agro chemicals are equally provided for the farmers. The Coordinator, further explained that the support is a form of grant to the farmers as they are not paying back. He pointed out that with this support farmers would be able to provide protein intake for the populace, though they sell it, but in a situation where those broilers are not available the public will be starved of protein intake.
The Technical Officer in charge of Inputs and agricultural services of the Project Mr. Adeyinka Adesida affirmed that the disbursement is a continuous exercise that is cutting across the disbursement Link Indicator of Input and Agricultural Services that involve poultry (broiler production), cassava production, fish, leafy vegetable, maize, rice as so on. According to Mr. Adesida ‘this is a Programme for Result, as soon as the project gets reimbursement on advances the beneficiaries that have not been touched will be reached.
A beneficiary, Mr. Adebisi Akeredolu from Ipele Farmers’ Community Association in Owo Local Government Area appreciated the Governor, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu for the support and the enabling environment and also the sincerity of purpose exhibited by the staff of the Project for allowing what they promised the farmers to get to them eventually. He pledged on behalf of other beneficiaries to sustain the business by revolving the fund for continuity.
Funmilayo Ikuedurani is the Communication Specialist, Ondo Fadama IIII Project
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