In addition to describing women as the impetus for significant progress in all spheres of human endeavour, the Ogun State Government has said that it will support the participation of women farmers in agriculture and all aspects of its value chain.
At the launch of the Ogun State SHEFARMERS Initiative in Abeokuta, Dr. Olu Ola Aikulola, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, made this claim.
Aikulola, represented by the Director of Industrial Promotion, Engr. Kehinde Akintomide expressed confidence that the initiative which is intended to advance the cause of women in the agriculture, horticulture, and aquaculture industries as well as improve yields that would bring sustainable innovations to the sector.
Congratulating the women farmers, the Permanent Secretary encouraged them to take advantage of the various interventions and programmes jointly organised by the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, such as the Export Promotion Council and other bodies aimed at educating and enlightening farmers.
Adding that the present administration has made a number of concerted efforts towards the creation and enactment of pertinent policies and programmes to boost the state’s economy, he pledged that this government will not give up on creating an environment that is favourable for businesses, food production, and agriculture to thrive.
He also claimed that the Ogun State Business Environment Council (OGBEC) has implemented a number of changes that have improved the ease of doing business, including firm startup, land acquisition, construction permit issuance, contract enforcement, and tax and levies payment.
“It does this through making recommendations on improving on current practices and procedures while introducing key reforms that conform with global best practices.
“The Ministry periodically organises series of Business Clinics across five industrial zones of the State via collaboration with necessary agencies such as Agency for International Cooperation, GIZ, Nigerian Export Promotion Council in the area of capacity building for entrepreneurs,” Aikulola said.
The State Coordinator for the SHEFARMERS Initiative, Mrs. Olukemi Hairat Ogunmoye, stated in her remarks that the group, which is well-represented in the State’s 20 local government areas, would make every effort to increase the viability of the agricultural sector and its value chain.
The Permanent Secretaries, Ministry of Agriculture as well as Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Samuel Adeogun and Dr. Rotimi Akinlesi, bankers, exporters, among other stakeholders. attended the programme.
