Ondo state government has distributed fishing assets worth over N26 million to fish farmers in the Abereke community of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The fishing assets, which were distributed on Friday, December 27th, 2024, in Igbokoda, Headquarter of Ilaje Local Government Area included 1/9 crayfish nets, 1/6 crayfish nets, and chains, among others.
Speaking at the event, the State Coordinator of Fadama, Mr. Olusiji Olatunji said it was part of the Ondo State government’s support to less privileged farmers to ensure food sufficiency in the state.
“We have done this before in other local governments, but this is a different area. We are distributing nets for fishing crayfish to farmers. As I said earlier, the program is being funded by the state government, and the state government released funds as and when due for the program,” he said.
“The Abereke people have applied, and we have followed all the necessary processes for the community to benefit from this program. What we are doing now is distributing the items they requested to help improve their fishing profession,” he noted.
According to Olatunji, the distribution will facilitate better production of crayfish, noting that Abereke is a strategic community for crayfish farming.
He called on the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items provided and to consider forming a cooperative society, which he believes will further assist them in revenue generation.
Olatunji listed several other riverine areas that have benefited from Fadama programs, including Lepe, Idi Agba, Aiyetoro, and Mahin, where fishing boats, outboard engines (forty-horsepower), and other items were distributed for free.
Explaining the categories of beneficiaries, Olatunji said that registered farmers are profiled and documented for assessment, while those who have not registered will have to wait for the second phase of the program when they will be re-sensitized and accommodated.
Leader of the Fadama Community Association (FCA) of Abereke, Prince Taiwo Aiyedatiwa, appreciated the efforts of the donors, the World Bank, the federal government, and particularly Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for the prompt release of the state counterpart funds to ensure that all the local government areas in the state benefit from the program, aimed at alleviating poverty among the people.
He disclosed that nine groups, comprising 10 beneficiaries each, making a total of 90 farmers, are benefiting from the largee in Abereke community.
He said: “We were given three types of fishing assets: 1/9 crayfish nets, 1/6 crayfish nets, and chains for fishing, which will help increase fish production in the community.”
While appreciating the Fadama office for implementing the program, Mr. Taiwo Aiyedatiwa appealed for the community to be included in the next batch of beneficiaries, as he stated that the community has more than 200 fishermen.
He assured that the beneficiaries would make good use of the items and would always be ready to show them the assets when demanded during inspections.
“We will not sell it because it is for our benefit to boost our fishing production and to help us take care of our children and families as a whole.”
Earlier, while introducing the FADAMA officials, the Communications Specialist, FADAMA OndoCARES, Funmilayo Ikueduranni, disclosed that all Fadama programmes are distributed freely to alleviate the poverty rate of the people.
Ikueduranni stated that the Fadama office is one of the most viable organisations that delivers government programmes to the grassroots.
