Ikorodu Division now has a great potential of becoming the food hub of Lagos State as Hon Babajimi Benson has facilitated a major federal government support for farmers in Imota LCDA in Ikorodu Division area of the State in a two phase agricultural intervention exercise.
Benson, Member, representing Ikorodu federal Constituency at the House of Reps recently facilitated the federal government support for small and large scale farmers, through the National Agricultural Land Authority (NALA) for the enhancement of food production to compliment the efforts of Lagos State Government, with a view to boost food production and supply in the country.
So far, hundreds of hectares of farmlands, 450 units of 50kg fertilizers and numerous supply of seedlings and agro-chemicals were among freebies the Imota farmers benefitted, courtesy of the federal lawmaker.
This is the first time in history that, Lagos State and Ikorodu Division farmers will be benefitting from this massive federal government largesse to the agricultural sector, which hitherto was limited to farmers in the northern parts of the country.
Ikorodu Oga Radio correspondent recently visited Imota LCDA and the Council Secretariat to ascertain the level of the federal government support and was wowed by the massive FG largesse, facilitated by the dynamic and unassuming Ikorodu-born lawmaker.
In a chat with Prince Wasiu Kunle Agoro, the Executive Chairman of Imota Local Council Development Area, he stated that the good people of Imota LCDA, especially the farmers are greatly excited with the massive assistance from the federal government.
Prince Agoro noted that, ‘My people embraced it, they were so happy especially the farmers. It was a positive impact on the entire community. As you all know, our major occupation here is farming and I’m proud to say that, we have the largest land mass in Ikorodu division. Largely the people here are farmers and this is what they have been waiting for. The program has been on for a very long time mostly in the North. So, when this came through Hon Babajimi Benson, it became a massive governnent support to this community’.
‘It was a kind of miracle because it started immediately. Within days that I was contacted the contractor came and I was informed that they want to help us recover 175 hectares of land. So I swung into action and informed the traditional ruler “Kabiyesi” himself and the farmers in the community. We have Farmers associations, we have individual farmers and those who are land owners. So we informed them and the whole thing started willingly, the first phase has been completed now’, he noted.
The council boss also noted that when the first phase started, some farmers were skeptical about the program. They thought the Federal government was coming to take their lands. So, when the first phase was completed it was then they realized the geneuiness of the federal government intention.
We were also reliably informed that a total of 2,000 bunches of cassava stems was supplied and that, a total of 450 bags was distributed to the farmers. Our correspondent also cited the distribution list.
We also gathered that, the agency did more than clearing of farmlands, they even graded and cleared the roads that lead to many of those farms. They were also given fertilizers and also chemicals, to kill the weeds in the farm.
On the expectations of the Imota Council boss from the farmers resulting from the FGs intervention, Hon Agoro noted that, with the free land clearing, road grading and supply of fertalizers ,seedlings and chemicals, Ikorodu Division and, indeed Lagos State will experience a major boost in food production in the next harvest season, with the prices of food dropping.
‘Thankfully the agency, through Hon. Babajimi Benson promised that the exercise is going to become an annual intervention. They also promised to monitor the farms after planting. Everything is free of charge and it is not to be sold. The materials are not to be sold. We did the distribution accordingly so that it would go around farmers whose farms were cleared. So, my expectation is that, with the massive support from the federal government, prices of farm produce from our farmers would be cheaper than the current market prices’.
Concluding, Prince Agoro prayed for Hon Babajimi Benson while assuring him of the support of the good people of Imota during his third term campaign in 2023.
What I can say is just to continue to pray for my brother, Hon Jimi Benson. God will continue to lift him higher and higher. I have also told him not to come to Imota to campaign in 2023, I assure him of the support and votes of our people, whose lives he has touched in many ways.
Speaking on the motivation for facilitating the federal government intervention, Hon Benson disclosed that his passion to support his farming constituents in any way possible and the desire to compliment the efforts of Lagos State Government in boosting good production were his major driving force.
