The Third National Fadama Development Project has disbursed N1.5 billion to beneficiaries in the South West Zone of Nigeria in its continued
efforts to empower rural Communities and to reduce poverty in the geopolitical zone.
Addressing beneficiaries and other stakeholders of the Project during the 6th joint World Bank and Federal Government Supervision Mission in the zone hosted by Ekiti State Government, the mission team leader and Senior Communication Specialist of the World Bank, Obadiah Tohomdet, noted that Fadama III Project which is being implemented in 658 local government areas across the States of the Federation has positively impacted on the lives of over 649, 367 households.
He noted that so far 735 Fadama Community Associations and 7,542 Fadama User Groups have been supported in the zone through the execution of over 4,135 developmental subprojects some of which include, oil palm and garri processing equipment, roads construction and rehabilitation, markets construction and other income generating assets such as pepper grinding machines, knapsack sprayers, and poultry equipments to boost the enterprises of the rural communities.
Mr. Tohomdet, added that the entire project cost stood at $450 million out of which over 150 million dollars were disbursed so far.
The mission team leader, commended stakeholders of the project in the zone and also appealed to the respective States governments to ensure
prompt payments of their counterpart funds for speedy implementation in order for their communities to continue to enjoy the project support.
In his remark, the National Project Coordinator of Fadama III Tayo Adewumi, represented by the Senior Community Development Specialist Dr. Victoria Agu stated that the aim of the mission was to evaluate implementation status, identify weaknesses and also to consolidate
performances to achieve greater success.
Adewumi, further explained that, the Project is now focusing on the federation of all Fadama Community Associations to improve and add value to their products in the areas of processing, storage, branding and marketing in line with the Federal government Agricultural Transformation Agenda.
During the visit, beneficiaries had interacted well with the mission team and expressed joy and happiness on the project. A member of Epolobe Fadama Users Group, which benefitted from an oil processing shed and equipments at Ikole in Ikole LGA, Mrs, Omoniyi Catherin said that Fadama has changed their stories because widows who could not afford to send their children to school can now pay their childrens’ school fees from the proceeds realized.
At Odo-Oro where the project supported Soludero Crop farmers with knapsack sprayers and necessary farming inputs, the secretary of the
group, Mr. Mathew Adeola hailed Fadama III, saying that the project has helped reduce cassava wastage by linking the group with British America
Tobacco Nigeria foundation (BATN Foundation) that constructed a cassava cottage industry for the group which has helped them to go into processing,
which has ended cassava wastage and further broaden their market. “We are processing our cassava neatly and effectively with good branding,”
said Adeola.
A female member of the group, Mrs. Juliana Ajiboye explained that the result of the intervention has enabled her to change the sitting furniture in her house. Juliana said “I increased my farm size, cultivate more cassava, maize, yam and cowpeas after which I bought new furniture for my family”
In his remarks , the Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture, Babajide Arowosafe, applauded the project performance and pledged the commitment of the State government in prompt release of the outstanding counterpart funds of the state.
Mr Arowosafe said the project was impacting positively in the improvement of livelihoods and living conditions of the rural communities, complementing the efforts of the state in its drive to ensure sustainable development of rural infrastructure and rural economy.
Last modified: June 14, 2012