Mr. Gboyega Oyetola the governor of Osun state has commended Osun women for embracing agriculture both at vocational and professional levels.
He made the statement during the inauguration of Women in Agriculture – (Vegetable Farmers Empowerment Scheme) powered by Ilerioluwa Development Initiative, IOD-Initiative, Oyetola noted that gone are the days when farming was a prerogative of men alone.
While emphasising the importance of agriculture, particularly vegetable to human existence, the governor enjoined the beneficiaries of the scheme to make the best use of the opportunities and ensure prompt repayment of loans disbursed for others to benefit.
Also speaking, the initiator and President of Ilerioluwa Development Initiative, (IOD-Initiative) who is also the wife of the governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola said the Vegetable Farmers Scheme is just a fractional aspect of the agricultural empowerment chain programme of IOD-initiative.
According to her, the focus on Vegetable as the first tranche of the foundation’s agricultural empowerment chain was informed by the crucial nutritional value of vegetables.
She explained that the scheme was in three modules which include training, distribution of seed and access to revolving loan envelope which each of the amazons would benefit in order to boost the production in their farms.
Mrs Oyetola gave kudos to her initiative’s development partners that include All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Agrik Matas and Access Bank Plc for their support.
She disclosed that her Foundation will soon unfold the next level of IOD-Initiative Agricultural Empowerment Program which would cover other categories of farming activities that women engage in.