FADAMA Project III: Lagos Govt. urged to pay its counterpart funding


The World Bank Implementation Support Mission on National FADAMA Development Project III on Tuesday urged the Lagos State Government to pay its counterpart funding to boost food production.
Dr Adetunji Oredipe, the World Bank Task Team Leader, made the call when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State in Ikeja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, received the team on behalf of the governor.
"We urge the state government to show its commitment by releasing funds as part of the counterpart funding of the project to enhance food production," Oredipe said.
He said that the National FADAMA Development Project III was aimed at assisting the small scale farmers and other groups in the provision of production assets, infrastructure, capacity building and advisory services.
The team leader said that the World Bank, through FADAMA, had identified rice, cassava, sorghum and horticulture as priority staple foods for support under the 200 million dollars FADAMA III Additional Financing.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at scaling up production and increasing income of farmers.
``Lack of funds by the state government contributed to the delay in executing agricultural projects and drawing from the 200 million dollars FADAMA III Additional Financing.
"Lagos State has been selected for rice production under the current project because of the success stories of FADAMA parent projects in the state.
"The state has a huge market, population and also the states of South-West rely mainly on the Lagos market for the sales and purchase of agricultural produce.
"It is, therefore, a commendable foresight for the World Bank and the Federal Government to have picked Lagos State for this special support.
While receiving the team on behalf of the state government, the deputy governor, promised that the issue of counterpart funding would be looked into.
"Lagos State will play its part by providing funds and infrastructure to meet the needs of farmers in the state and ensure that this project succeeds,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Oluwatoyin Suarau, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, said that adequate attention given to agriculture by the state government prompted the partnership with Kebbi.
Suarau said that the partnership would enhance food processing, production and distribution in the state.
He said that by December, the state would commence the sale of rice within and outside the state.

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