ICCIMA holds development summit, discusses progress of Agric business In Ibolo Land

ICCIMA holds development summit, discusses progress of Agric business In Ibolo Land

The Ibolo Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture( ICCIMA ) in collaboration with the Development Government International(DGI) foundation has held a 2-day agriculture value chain development summit to provide a platform through which farmers, relevant organizations, agencies in the agriculture value chain including captains of industries and government will be able to deliberate on matters concerning agriculture, agricultural mechanization, access to market, value chain creation, access to farmlands as well as opportunities for farming and processing storage and export of agricultural produce in Ibolo land.

The summit titled 'Forging Strategic Partnership for Agricultural Value Chain Transformation in Ibolo Land' was held on the 8th and 9th of June, 2022 at Avalon Hotel, Offa Kwara State.

Speaking at the summit, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq ably represented by Offa Local Government TIC Chairman, Honorable Jare Olatundun commended the efforts of ICCIMA on agricultural inputs and food production in Ibolo land. He charged the leadership of the chamber to ensure farm tools and produces supplied by the government are delivered to farmers. 

The president of ICCIMA, Mr. Paul Olagunju in his remarks commended Kwara State Government,   Development Government International( DGI) foundation, and traditional rulers for the support and partnership to ensure the summit was actualized.

He said that  ICCIMA intends to take practical steps to move the community from reliance on small holder farming to making farming a business and exposing farmers to high practices. 

According to him, "the Ibolo Chamber of Commerce through the implementation committee and DGI Foundation have carried out numerous extensive research and consultation with the government of Kwara state, relevant organization, community leaders/traditional leaders and agencies to promote the growth of agriculture in Ibolo land."

Speaking on the theme of the summit, the Vice-Chancellor of Summit University Offa, Professor Aibinu, said that the Agriculture value chain entails all the stages of the processes involved in transforming the farms’ inputs into products for consumption. 

He added that the major aspect of the agriculture value chain includes Production, Processing, Distribution, and Marketing and said all facet of the value chain has a touch of technology. He concluded that "the 21st century and the future is envisioned to be driven largely by existing and emerging technologies. Hence, the role of technology in optimizing the agriculture value chain for wealth creation cannot be overemphasized, and now is the time to invest in technology."

While providing solutions to agricultural challenges in Ibolo land, the National Vice President of the farmers Association, Comrade Ajibola Olawale Tajudeen said the solution lies in farming together and getting security to monitor the farmlands. He added that farmers should be making perimeter clearance around their farms to avoid herders' encroachment. He also suggests that creating mutual understanding between the herders in the surroundings will promote peace and harmony.

Bukoye Lateef representing Oyun Local Government farmers' said farmers in rural areas found it difficult to access loans. He said they  had land but did not have money to extend the farmland. He also noted the scarcity of tractors as a challenge facing farmers.

While representative of farmers from Erinle advised that the chamber should coordinate how the ICCIMA will buy tractor for the use of farmers in subsidized amounts.  He also emphasized on government's intervention in the clearing of lands and collaborations with foreign partners to bring farm tools that will be subsidized.

The security expert, Superintendent Dauda representing NSCDC Offa command said the civil defence personnel have been doing their best to settle cases and make sure there is peace between farmers and herders. He promised that its personnel will continue to do more than expected to promote peace.

Also, the DPO, Ijagbo division representing Area Command Offa said the police is always ready to collaborate with ICCIMA to ensure peace in the Ibolo Kingdom. He added that the initiative of ICCIMA is one that will give people hope and will help the security operatives to fight criminality. He advised farmers not to take the law into their hands whenever there is an issue between them and herders.

The Ubandawaki Fulani representing Fulanis said   'Bororo and Fulani herders are different races. He said the Fulanis should be carried along whenever new bororos barge into the town to know who to hold responsible when there is a crisis.