News in brief:
– Soilless Farm Lab, an agricultural innovation hub in Ogun State, has received a significant boost with a ₦20 million grant from the state government.
– The investment is part of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration’s drive to promote agriculture and food security in the state and across Nigeria.
In a series of tweets, Governor Abiodun expressed his admiration for the Soilless Farm Lab, describing it as a model for agricultural development in the country. He emphasised the importance of agriculture in achieving food sufficiency and highlighted the potential of replicating the company’s success across the state and nation.
To support its growth and that of similar initiatives, the governor announced the waiver of all fees for the issuance of title documents for the company. Additionally, the state government is providing a ₦20 million grant to support the farm trainees.
To aid the development of these initiatives, we have waived all fees for the issuance of title documents for the Farm Lab, ensuring they receive the necessary paperwork within 24 hours.
Additionally, we are donating N20 million to the farm trainees to support their efforts. pic.twitter.com/sURXavQhoH
— Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, CON (@DapoAbiodunCON) August 6, 2024
Soilless Farm Lab has trained over 1,000 individuals from across Nigeria and beyond, with a focus on youth empowerment. The governor commended the company’s leadership for its role in building capacity and generating revenue.
The partnership between the Ogun State government and Soilless Farm Lab is seen as a model for public-private collaboration in agriculture. The initiative aligns with the state’s broader goal of training and developing a skilled agricultural workforce.
With over 10,000 people trained since September 2020, the “Work and Learn” program at the company has been instrumental in providing free training and creating employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.
The governor’s support for Soilless Farm Lab underscores the state government’s commitment to agricultural development and its potential to drive economic growth and food security in Nigeria.
Speaking about the visit, Samson Ogbole, the team lead at Soilless Farm Lab, praised the governor for his support. He revealed that the company had completed 24 hectares of greenhouse, with more work to be done.
Since 2013, Ogbole has been one of the leading voices in advocating for innovative farming techniques, including soilless farming. He is taking the company’s efforts further than primary production as he announced ongoing work to add a processing facility to the farms for value addition.
