NG-CARES HAILS ONDO’S AGRICULTURAL EMPOWERMENT DRIVE, FARMERS RECORD MAJOR GAINS
The Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) has expressed satisfaction with the evaluation of its agricultural interventions for vulnerable households in Ondo State, noting significant progress in food security and economic empowerment. The programme, a World Bank-funded initiative, is designed to cushion the effects of COVID-19 and other economic shocks on vulnerable families and micro enterprises.
At a stakeholders’ meeting held at the FADAMA Hall in Akure, the State Project Coordinator, Mr. Olusiji Olatunji, unveiled the impact study for Result Area 2, which focuses on boosting food security and stabilizing food supply chains. He explained that consultants across various agricultural fields were engaged to evaluate Phase 1 of the programme, ahead of a proposed Phase 2 scheduled to begin in January.
Findings from the evaluation revealed marked improvements in productivity and livelihoods among small-scale farmers across the state’s 18 local government areas. Cassava and tomato farmers, in particular, reported higher yields and income growth following access to improved seedlings, pesticides, and training on modern farming practices. “Farmers are now better equipped to increase profitability and sustainability,” said consultant Mr. Niran Thompson, who assessed cassava farming.
Professor Akinnagbe Oluwole Matthew, who evaluated tomato farming, disclosed that farmers recorded an 85 percent rise in income, with many reinvesting their earnings into further production. “Most smallholder farmers are now financially independent and out of debt,” he noted, crediting the intervention for transforming lives and strengthening food security in the state.
Beyond crops, consultants also highlighted gains in livestock farming, including poultry and fisheries, as well as infrastructural interventions such as road rehabilitation in rural communities. These, they said, have significantly eased transportation, reduced food wastage, and improved access to markets for farmers in hard-to-reach areas.
The Programme Manager of the Agricultural Development Project (ADP) in Ondo State, Mr. Ogunleye Babajide, assured stakeholders that the findings would be carefully reviewed to strengthen future interventions. He emphasized that OD-CARES remains committed to lifting households out of poverty through sustainable agricultural practices, training, and empowerment across the state.
