Lagos-CARE, FADAMA, extends COVID-19 intervention programme to Ikorodu farmers

Favour Motunrayo Awosika

Lagos-CARE and FADAMA have extended their COVID-19 intervention programme to farmers across Ikorodu.

Sequel to the initiatives’ plan to cater for 15,000 farm households and 69 food markets, Lagos-CARE representative, yesterday, met with farmers at Gberigbe area of Ikorodu in an effort to enlighten them on the programme as well as the disbursement procedure of the relief materials.

Prior to the meeting held at Ikorodu Local Government’s Agric Desk Officer, Mrs. Agbaje Opeyemi, gave insight on the mobilization process and the mission of the initiatives.

“We mobilized over 150 farmers who are divided into fifteen groups. Because of the way things are, we decided to take it batch by batch-five groups per batch.

“FADAMA is a programme meant for farmers. They help farmers with inputs and train them. That was why N-CARE came through FADAMA because that is their work.” She said.

On the motive behind the meeting, Agbaje revealed that the initiatives needs to be certain about the physical existence of the farmers and their farms before disbursement can commence.

“They want to be sure that those disbursement gets to the target audience. Now that I have mobilized and sent their names, they (Lagos-CARE and FADAMA) cannot just proceed into bringing those things. They want to be sure if they are farmers “ she added

Addressing the farmers, FADAMA Lagos Chapter Safeguard Officer, Mr. Olumuyiwa Senapon, expressed his condolences to the farmers over their losses during the COVID-19 pandemic while explaining the plan of the initiative.

“We all know Lagos, the CARE has to do with COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programmes. This is a World Bank initiative in collaboration with the Federal Government and states. Each state has domesticated the CARE. Here in Lagos, we have Lagos-CARE just as other states have theirs.

“We are all aware of the havoc that COVID-19 wrecked and the government realize that those who are affected need to recover from the shock. That is why we have to meet the farmers who are affected.” Senapon said.

He further emphasized the importance of the meeting which, according to him, is aimed at verifying the physical presence of the beneficiaries as well as confirmation of their farms’ existence.

Similarly, Lagos-CARE Communication Officer, Adeyemi Bewaji, revealed that the physical meeting was an attempt by the initiative to ascertain whether the farmers are real or not.

“The essence of meeting them in person is to prevent what we call political farmers. We want to be sure that they are indeed real farmers because there must be a return on investment.

“This is just like a business aimed at improving the lives of the farmers and also the economy. It must reflect in our economic development because if it doesn’t, our bosses from Abuja may come down here to confirm if indeed the relief materials get to the target populace.” She said.

Meanwhile, the farmers lauded the initiative for the proposed assistance which they believed will go a long way in helping them in recurring their losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Mr. Abiodun Olajire, Chairman, De-Kings Coop, the physical meeting with farmers is good as it enables the government interphase directly with farmers in order to evaluate the impact of covid-19 on them and identify our needs.

Alhaja Fatima Olushomo, the chairperson of Aseyori Fish Farmers Group, the meeting is avenue to state the areas they need initiative’s assistance.

“The programme is okay. The only way we can get assistance is to tell them what we want and may God give them the strength to grant our request.” She said.

On his part, the Chairman of Unique Group, Mr. Abdulfatai Abdulkareem, commended Lagos State government for the gesture while stressing that they have been expecting the development for over a year.

“We really appreciate Lagos State government for the support and other assistance they are giving to us. For today’s programme, we really appreciate because we have been expecting it over a year plus. We thank God everything is now in order.” He stated.

In the same vein, Success Group of Crop Farmers’ Chairperson, Mrs. Joy Agu, lauded the initiative, labelling it as a welcome idea which looks likely to be accomplished.

“It is a welcome idea and we are so happy. Certain things like this have been happening and at the end, we will not see anything. But this one seems to be real.” She said.

On possible relief package they are likely to receive, Agu admitted that they will accept whatever the initiative presents to them as long as it will be of help.

“We are getting whatever they promise. Like my own group, we are crops. So they promise fertilizers, chemicals, and insecticides that will help us.” Agu added.

While appreciating the initiativea, the Chairman of Gberigbe Farmers Community Association, Mr. Teniola Stephen, reminisced on the impact of COVID-19 on their business as they counted their losses during the pandemic.

“Actually, it will help the farmers because a lot of us are suffering at that COVID-19 affected us. There are some times that we have issues with all of our birds and since then, there was no assistance.

“But now that FADAMA and the state government wants to assist us, we really appreciate them.” He said.