Wale Jagun & Mariam Akinloye
The Golden Community Care Foundation, a non – governmental and community – based organization, has partnered the Lagos State Government, to give support to about 100 farmers in Ibeshe area of Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu Division.
The beneficiaries were given cutlass, hoes, rakes and other farming tools at a programme themed, “Grow Your Own Farm”, which took place at the Kith & Kin Sports Centre at Owode, Ibeshe in Ikorodu, on Saturday.
Convener of the community group, Ms. Patricia Okosodo, speaking with THE IMPACT at the presentation ceremony, said that her NGO facilitated the tools for the farmers, based on their demands.
She said that the tools will go a long way in assisting them to sustain farming activities and help in the state’s drive towards foods security.
“It is about growing your own farm, which is why we decided that farmers should get support, especially for equipment that they need.
“A lot of them complained about snake bites on their farms, injuries among others. So, we decided that we should just visit their farms. We saw that most of them are going through a lot. Some of them are using old hoes and cutlasses.
“It is very important for farmers to get sustainable tools to continue the farms. Like we always say, “No farmers, no nation, no nation, no farmer, and no farmer, no food”.
She said that it was based on the request by the farmers that her group approached the Ministry of Agriculture & Food System, for partnership.
“So, based on the requests of farmers in this area, we approached the Ministry of Agriculture under the Commissionership of Ms. Abisola Olusanya, and she has been very supportive. She has assured us that the ministry would give us whatever that the farmers needed to stay in the business of farming.
“And that is what she has been doing by given us support for the farmers and the beneficiaries are very happy. It is a good thing for farmers in Ikorodu.
“We believe that with this initiative, the farmers will continue to grow foods and continue to develop our community of farmers, and also that every house must have a farm. That is the position of our organisation.
“We provided them with hoes, rakes, cutlasses, shovels and booths. Most of them go to their farms in barefoot and that’s the reason they get bitten by snakes and also sustain other injuries.
“This is the start and we hope to get more items, because some of them are talking about pest control, chemicals, seeds among others. So, we believe that the government will also support in this regard. We have over 80 farmers that are benefiting from this support”, she said.
Patricia commended the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abiola Olusanya, for her support for farmers.
“I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to Ms. Abisola Olusanya, for her outstanding leadership and dedication to the community at large. Her efforts in transforming the agricultural sector in Lagos, have been impactful to community development. Your tireless efforts have made a significant difference in the lives of many.
“Her commitment to farmers in Ikorodu, especially Owode -Ibeshe, is truly inspiring, and the positive impact it will have on our farmers is immeasurable. Her ability to bring people together and drive meaningful change is a testament to her exceptional leadership skills”, the Convener of the Foundation said.
She also thanked the Governor of Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, and Chief Learning Officer, Kith and Kin International Schools, Asipa Kaoli Olatunji Olusanya, for the support they have been given to the Commissioner.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Rose Opere from Oke- Ota group, who is involved in integrated farming and grows vegetables, crop production and animal production, spoke with our reporter and expressed her happiness over the government’s gesture.
“I am a retiree from the Lagos State Government. I will use the tools to farm. I have benefitted from government, so, I am happy
“We want herbicides and chemicals to kill grasses to protect our crops from weeds.
“Thank you from the depth of my heart. We are happy; nobody who receives this that will not be happy. In my farm, I always battle with snakes, so, the pair of boots given to me will make me match snakes heads”, she said.
Mr Aleke Theophilus, another beneficiary, was also full of praises for the Commssioner and the convener of the programme.
“What she is doing is very good and commendable. God will continue to bless her and the convener, Patricia Okosodo. These people are reaching out to the grassroots. I thank you for bringing this program to us. We really appreciate them for this and for whatever that they will still do to lift up farmers in Lagos State”.
Like other beneficiaries, he too begged the government to assist them with pest and flu control chemicals.
Mr Adegolu Alabi from Oke -Awori Phase II, Itesiwaju community, while thanking the government for the gesture, also charged the convener to ask the government to provide farm lands and seeds for farmers.
A leader of the vegetable farmers, women wing in Owode – Ibeshe, Mrs Roseline Ogbe, in her own comment, thanked the government and assured that supports from the government would continue to ensure food production in the state.
Some of the notable personalities at the presentation were Chief Hakeem Oseni, Baale Oke-Ota Ibeshe, Chief j.O Badejo, Baale oluweye ibeshe, Ajisafe Hakeem, APC leader, Ward C, Hon, Hassan Shehu Aganga, Chairmanship aspirant for Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA and Mrs Okosodo Maria among others.
