.. records optimal use, receives commendations from beneficiaries
In an effort to obtain feedback and assess the impact of implemented projects on the lives and endeavors of its beneficiaries, Value Chain Development Programme, VCDP commenced a two-day media facility tour on Tuesday to sites of infrastructure donated to clusters in Ijebu Mushin, Ijebu East, and Atan, Ijebu North East Local Government,Kila in Odeda Local Government, and Ayetoro in Yewa North Local Government,
The initiative is co-funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Ogun State Government, local governments, and farmers’ organizations.
Speaking to journalists at Esure Market, where a block of 10 stores and solar-powered borehole projects were constructed, the Chairman of the Ijebu East LG Commodity Alliance Forum, Pastor Olaniyi Oluwaseyi, stated that a review of the antecedents of VCDP's past programs revealed that after the exit of the donor, some programs died down.
However, the group put in place by the Commodity Alliance of all farmers, comprising key actors such as transporters, herdsmen, security personnel, marketers, processors, and producers, has ensured sustainability of the projects.
He added that VCDP had impacted farmers in the areas of training and capacity building.
"The infrastructure they have provided, we believe, can only be sustained if we put a body in place that would continue after the exit of the donor," Pastor Oluwaseyi said.
"With all the knowledge we have acquired from VCDP, we should be able to sustain it. The training and retraining acquired by focus officers will be stepped down, and we will continue to improve on training and retraining all farmers on the ideas we have acquired from VCDP. For proper monitoring, we have instituted cooperative farmers, and we run it as a cooperative because we believe that whatever you invest in, you want to see it continue."
On the impact of the infrastructure and how the cluster has been able to maintain it, Pastor Oluwaseyi noted that VCDP's approach of dealing with groups rather than individuals has ensured proper maintenance of the infrastructure and enhanced the continuity of the program.
Also speaking, a member of the Operation and Management team of the Solar-powered borehole, Mr. Bola Babatunde Onanuga, described the VCDP project as a laudable assistance to the people.
"The project has really helped a lot, especially during the dry season. As well as during power outages when electricity is not available, it has been providing assistance to people to get water."
"We set up an Operation and Management team; I am one of the members, and through this, we have been able to manage the borehole."
Similarly at Atan, Ijebu North East Local Government, where a 10-block store and solar-powered borehole were provided for the use of the community and market people, Femi Onasanya and a market woman, Oluwaseyi Olugbuyi, in their separate remarks, commended the FGN and VCDP for the provision of the projects.
They added that both the traders and people of the community have been fetching water at all times compared to the electric borehole they used, which was always out of service when there was no light.
The Chairman of Ijebu North East Local Government, Hon. Foluso Badejo, described the programme as a huge blessing to his people.
He commended the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for ensuring food security through such partnerships.
“Our area is agrarian, and we cannot do it alone at the local government level. The collaboration with VCDP has been very impactful, and we ensure that facilities provided are kept in good use”.
Speaking during the tour on Wednesday in Abeokuta, the Acting State Programme Coordinator of VCDP, Mrs. Abiola Sobukola, explained that the programme was designed to boost productivity in rice and cassava farming, while strengthening every aspect of their value chains.
According to her, over 18,000 farmers across eight local governments in the state have directly benefited from the intervention.
“When we started, the objective was to increase productivity of rice and cassava. Before now, farmers handled everything from production to marketing alone. With the VCDP, we have been able to reduce costs to the barest minimum and provided training to farmers. Without this intervention, the price of food commodities would have been much higher than what we have today,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries of the facilities in Ayetoro Yewa North, Elder Eweoba Timothy, Managing Director of a cassava processing factory established through VCDP support, said the project had transformed cassava processing in the area.
“We used to process garri and lafun manually, but with this factory, our capacity has greatly improved. We also maintain the facility through revenue generated from borehole water sales to the community,” he explained.
Also at Kila in Odeda Local Government, a farmer and secretary of Mutual Success Cassava Processing, Mr. Yusuf Kazeem Olawale, commended the solar-powered borehole provided by VCDP.
He said the facility had eased cassava processing and also served the wider community, especially during the dry season.
“The VCDP has exposed us to new technologies, provided training, and empowered groups rather than individuals, making it easier to sustain the impact,” he said.
The VCDP is currently active in eight local governments in Ogun State, Ijebu North East, Ijebu East, Obafemi Owode, Yewa North, Ifo, Odogbolu, Odeda, and Yewa South.
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