By Roseline Okakah

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In a bid to reduce the spate of poverty across the country and increase food sufficiency, the Federal Government has trained 243 farmers in Ondo State under its training and empowerment programme of the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy across the nation.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Temitope Fadeshemi made this known at the training programme held on Tuesday, at the  federal ministry of Agriculture in Akure.

The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Akeem Ogundeko said the programme  in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning reflects government’s dedication to addressing poverty at its grassroots.

“The National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) reflects our government’s dedication to addressing poverty at its roots, emphasizing the pivotal role agriculture plays in economic growth and development” Fadeshemi said.

“This programme is not merely an investment in agriculture, it is an investment in the future if our nation.

“As we equip farmers with the tools to enhance productivity, improve resilience, and embrace sustainable practices, we are laying the foundation for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector” he added.

While urging the farmers to embrace the opportunity to build a future where smallholder farmers are not just beneficiaries of progress but active contributors to nation’s growth, he charged them to absorb the knowledge, hone their skills and apply the insights gained to elevate their farms and communities.

Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Edward Ogunmola expressed appreciation to the federal government for counting the state worthy to be part of the beneficiaries of the programme.

Ogunmola urged the participants to make good use of the empowerment, saying inputs will help them in their farm operations and also fight poverty.

The beneficiaries which included, the Chairman of All Farmers Congress, Idanre Local Government, Alhaji Azeez Akinbamiro, a cassava farmer from Akoko North East local government area, Mrs Adebola Bintu, a poultry farmer from Akoko North East Local Government Area, Mrs Ogedengbe Janet, the Public Relations  Officer of Ondo State Agricultural Commodities Association (OSACA), Mr Ademola Akinbobade expressed excitement about the programme and applauded the federal government on its efforts in assisting the farmers.

They described the programme as laudable and first if its kind, appealing to the federal government to always remember the farmers in many other programmes that are unfolding.

All the beneficiary farmers were empowered with agricultural inputs in their different commodity categories like fishery, poultry and crop production as well as cash for logistics.