Oyo state government has embarked on an intensive training package for over 4,472 farmers through the State Rural Finance Institution-Building (RUFIN) in nine Local Government Areas in the state.
The nine local government areas were Ikoyi-Oriire, Ona-Ara, Oluyole, Ibarapa North, Iwerele in Iwajowa, Afijio, Jobele, Akinyele, Atisbo and Ibarapa East Local Government.
The state government said that the training is meant to support, empower and consolidate group cohesion dynamics as well as management of rural financing.
Speaking during the flag-off of the training programme held at Ikoyile, Oriire Local Government Area of the state, Oyewole Oyewumi, state commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, said that the training would enable the rural dwellers and farmers become credit worthy groups, noting that after the training, they will be linked with financial institutions for loan accessibility by RUFIN.
Oyewumi, who was represented by Victor Atilola, permanent secretary, of the state Ministry of Agric reiterated that the present administration in the state places priority on food security, poverty reduction among the people at the grassroots as well as job creation through its various agricultural policies and programmes which have enabled a favourable environment for investors.
He posited that RUFIN will not give loan facilities directly to the participants rather link them up with the financial institutions with lower interest rates after meeting the necessary requirements, stating that the Group Dynamics play a fundamental role in group functionality.
In his speech, Olusola Ogundiran, programme Coordinator, Oyo RUFIN, said the participants were divided into groups to allow for monitoring and connections with financial institutions.
He noted that the programme was not focused on farmers alone but also rural dwellers to reduce poverty in rural areas.
In their separate remarks, Odekanmi Oluyinka, caretaker chairman, Oriire Local Government, Odekanmi Oluyinka, who was represented by the Secretary of the Council, Toyin Kolawole and the Head of Local Government Administration, Bayo Raji, appreciated the government of Abiola Ajimobi for encouraging farming as well as initiating programmes to better the lives of rural dwellers, saying these have reduced rural-urban migration.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Olusoji Adedokun, commended the state government and promised that they will be credit worthy ambassadors.
Akinremi Feyisipo, Ibadan
