The Federal Capital Territory Agricultural Development Programme (FCT-ADP), along with the Agric and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), has sent a team to Ogun State on an intellectual exchange mission in hopes of replicating the agric models in the state.
Yahaya Hussaini, director of planning, research and statistics for the ARDS, who led the delegation to Ogun State, disclosed that the state’s seamless land acquisition processes, land management, farm settlement and farm estate operations informed their selection of Ogun, noting that they are ready to implement same.
Hussaini expressed that the program was looking at ways to dissuade FCT youths from an overreliance on white-collar jobs, with agriculture being a way to take them out of unemployment. He added that Ogun’s broiler and fishery projects would be replicated by the FCT-ADP.
“We are here because of the various success stories of Ogun State in terms of Agriculture. It was indeed a fruitful visit, we have been to other states but what we saw in Ogun State is a wide margin, and we came to the conclusion that Agriculture is the way out of our challenges,” Yahaya explained.
Ogun Commissioner for Agriculture Adeola Odedina, while welcoming the delegation, called for the cross-fertilization of ideas amongst Nigerians to ensure the industrialization and commercialization of agricultural practices.
“It is interesting that you came to know how we handle our projects. People from other states also came last year and we will also visit some states to learn from them,” the commissioner said.
“I thank you for choosing to come and tap from the wealth of experience of the state; Ogun is not a ‘know it all state.’ We are also open and ready to collaborate and learn from other states.”
