MONITORING VISITS BY OGADEP MANAGEMENT TO ABEOKUTA ZONE

 On Tuesday 16th July, 2024, the Management Team of Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP) conducted monitoring visits to three (3) of its operating blocks under Ilewo Orile block in Abeokuta zone.  OGADEP Team which was led by Mrs, Victoria Sobande ( Acting Programme Manager ) included Mr. Olurotimi Olufade ( Director, Research and Training ), Mr. Olufemi Akiniyi ( Head of Extension Services ), Mr. David Onigbinde ( Deputy Director, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation ) and Mr.Afolabi Akinwande (Deputy Director, Extension Services)

The three(3) circles covered under Ilewo Orile Block  were.

*Ibara Orile Circle ( Ponkuku Farm Settlement )

*Ilewo Orile Circle 

*Isaga Circle

The Objective of field visit was to assess and monitor the performance of Village Extension Agents (VEAs) operating within the Abeokuta Operational Zone. The visit focused on evaluating their effectiveness in delivering agricultural extension services and supporting local farmers.

Activities Conducted: 

1. Meetings with VEAs: The Team engaged in discussions with VEAs to review their roles, responsibilities, and challenges faced in delivering agricultural extension services.

The following VEAs were engaged with in discussion;

*Rukayat Onifade - Ibara Orile Circle

*Joseph Talabi - Ilewo Orile Circle

* Love Awoleye - Isaga Orile Circle

   2. Farm Visits: The Team Conducted on-site visits to few  of the farms where VEAs were actively providing support. Also, the Team observed agricultural practices, crop conditions, and interactions between VEAs and farmers.

3. Data Collection: The Team gathered data on the number of farmers reached, types of agricultural interventions implemented, and feedback from farmers regarding the impact of VEA services.

4. Feedback Sessions: Feedback were provided  to VEAs on their performance, highlighting strengths and areas needing improvement. Strategies for enhancing service delivery and overcoming challenges were also discussed.

5. Documentation: Each member of the Team documented findings, including observations, recommendations, and action points for follow-up by OGADEP management.

PHOTO SPEAKS

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This report provides a snapshot of the field visit conducted by OGADEP management, highlighting insights, recommendations, and next steps to strengthen the effectiveness of Village Extension Agents in supporting agricultural development in Abeokuta.

MONTHLY PROGRESS REVIEW (MPRM) REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 2024

 1.0 Programme Vision and Mission

The vision of the Programme is, “to become the centre of excellence and point of reference for Agricultural Extension delivery and rural transformation in Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa” while her mission is, “to increase Agricultural production, farmers’ productivity and incomes along the commodity value chain; through dissemination of improved and proven technologies using International best practices and innovations in an environmentally sustainable manner”.

2.0 Sub-Programme Achievements

The Programme is being implemented through some components and this section focused on the achievements recorded by each of these components. 

2.1 Technical Services Sub-Programme:

The achievements of the Livestock Sub-Programme in the period under review are summarized below;

2.1.1 Seed multiplication Component

Ø 750 bundles of improved cassava cuttings (TME 419) were sourced to assist farmers (Male- 4, Female- 12).

Ø Sourcing of 30 Ugu seedlings to assist farmers (Male- 5, Female- 5)

Ø 100kg of improved maize seed, assorted vegetables seed and 50kg of sweet potato vine were also sourced to assist farmer (Male- 6, Female- 4)

Ø Technical advice on the use of good quality seed as planting material, conduct of germination test and seed dressing before planting (Male- 10, Female- 5)

2.1.2 Agroforestry component

v 2,354 Fruit tree seedlings were sourced and distributed to 17 farmers

v 2 farmers received technical support services on Agroforestry matters/field visits

v 6kg of Mother’s Delight, king-J & Solo Gold OFSP Vines were distributed to farmers  for multiplication

2.1.3 Agro-Processing Component

Ø The component still collaborate with Nigeria Association of Engineering Craftsmen (NAEC)

Ø The component still maintain constant monitoring of identified fabricators and their engagement in the state.

 

2.1.4 Livestock Component

v 4 farmers (3 males, 1 female) benefited from injected with iron against piglet anaemia for 35 piglet

v The component participated at the just concluded training and empowerment programme for smallholder (poultry) farmers in the state organized by Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security held on 4^th of May, 2024 at their zonal office, kotopo Abeokuta.

v 50 farmers (45 males, 5 females) benefited from fattening of Sheep and Goats using special formula and concentrate feeds supplements.

v Housing/fencing of sheep and goat using lock chain and fencing poles at the headquarters component demonstration farm.

v Disease preventive measures: to combat the spread of disease we embark on awareness campaign all over the State reaching out

v Advisory services: farmers were encouraged, also advised on various livestock enterprises and their value chains.

v Disease Preventive measure: Awareness campaign continue all over the State reaching out to 1000 farmers (700 male, 300 female) to combat the spread of diseases in the State.

 

2.1.5 Crops Component

· 15 farmers (8 males and 7 females) were linked to input sources

· Nursery Establishment: During the period under review the component (at headquarters, excluding zones) trained and assisted two (2) farmers (one male and one female) to establish tomato and pepper nurseries

· Farmers’ sensitization and training on tomato production by Heifer International and everything Propagule was held between 13^th and 27^th of May, 2024 in eleven locations across the State.

· The component also participated in the Programme at Odeda Local Government location which took place at Odeda Farm Institute training Hall, Eweje, in attendance at Odeda location were 274 farmers (80 Adult male, 70 adult female, 53 male youth, 43 female youth)

2.1.6 Fisheries Component

i. A total of 73 new fish ponds were constructed with the technical support of the field staff. It comprises of 11 Earthen Ponds and 62 fish tank

ii. 85 Fish Farmers were assisted with smoking with a total of 70,000 fingerlings stocked

iii. 38 Fish Farmers were linked with market while 13 Fish Farmers were linked with fish Processors.

2.1 Planning, Monitoring And Evaluation Sub-Programme

The overview of the activities carried out are highlighted below;

1. 2023 Wet Season Agricultural Production Survey (APS): Collation of Questionnaires from the survey in on-going. Output from the Survey would be reported in subsequent report.

2. Collation of components Progress Review Report on monthly basis. 

3. Maintenance of farmers Database 

4. Market Price Survey (MPS): This is the fortnight coverage of rural and urban markets in the State, to collect price data of farm products and produce. The table below shows the Market Price of some major agricultural commodities.

Market Price of some major commodities across the State on Quarterly basis measured in kilogram/litre

S/n	Commodities	Locality	Average  (N/Kg/Ltr)
1	Cassava Tuber	Rural	183
		Urban	184
2	Cassava Flour	Rural	760
		Urban	900
3	Garri	Rural	1150
		Urban	1300
4	Yam Tuber	Rural	1457
		Urban	1684
5	Yam Flour	Rural	1100
		Urban	1300
6	Maize (Yellow)	Rural	575
		Urban	610
7	Maize (White)	Rural	619
		Urban	595
8	Rice (Milled)	Rural	1700
		Urban	1850
9	Local Rice (Ofada)	Rural	2090
		Urban	2955
10	Meat(Beef)	Rural	3125
		Urban	2580
11	Fresh Fish	Rural	2500
		Urban	2000
12	Palm Oil	Rural	1200
		Urban	1200

Source: market survey

2.2 Finance Sub-Programme

The total achievement in Salaries and Allowances, Overhead (Recurrent) and SHEP as at May 2024 were N42,339,347.70k, N1,703,328.45k and N543,360.00k respectively.

2.4  Administration Sub-Programme

i. Programme Management Unit (PMU) Meeting: Two (2) Programme Management Unit (PMU) meetings was held in the month of May, 2024.

ii. Nominal Roll: A total number of Two hundred and Forty (234) Staff as at April, 2024

iii. Corpers Affairs: Two Corps Member in the 2024 Batch ‘A’ National Youth Service Corps (N.Y.S.C.) were posted to the Agency for their primary assignments and they have been duly posted internally to the respective departments.

 

2.5   Research and Training Sub-programme

i. Participated in the training of Extension Officers organized by FUNAAB on “Strengthening farmers led innovation for transition to climate smart Agriculture in Nigeria” held on 20^th May, 2024.