In a nation where food security remains a critical issue, the drive to boost agricultural production has never been more urgent. With the growing need for sustainable and innovative farming practices, the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), supported by the World Bank, has emerged as a beacon of hope. OGSTEP is tackling food insecurity head-on, offering transformative solutions that not only enhance production but also empower farmers, boost economic growth, and improve livelihoods across Ogun State.
OGSTEP’s Vision: Empowering Farmers and Boosting Agriculture
At the heart of OGSTEP’s mission is its Project Development Objective (PDO), aimed at enhancing private sector participation in Ogun’s economy. A major pillar of this is strengthening the agri-food value chains through comprehensive interventions. These targeted efforts have played a vital role in empowering smallholder farmers, driving agricultural productivity, and fostering sustainable economic growth.
A Structured Approach for Success
OGSTEP Agric’s strategy is built around a three-pronged plan:
Framework for Intensive Responsible Land Administration (FRILIA) – Ensuring responsible and efficient land use.
Value Chain Development – Supporting farmers with inputs and services while establishing strong market links.
Ijomo Vegetable Cluster45 hectares
Harvesting ongoing
Critical Infrastructure and Market Access – Facilitating essential infrastructure to ensure farmers can access markets efficiently.
This structured approach has created thousands of jobs, fueled agricultural growth, and empowered smallholder farmers with modern techniques. OGSTEP’s Matching Grant Support System, a key component of this approach, provides subsidies to farmers, covering costs related to land preparation, crop inputs, and animal feed. For example:
Land Preparation: 65% of costs are covered for operations such as ploughing and harrowing.
Farm Inputs: 50% subsidies on crop seeds, agrochemicals, and fertilizers.
The Power of Collaboration: Five Key Actors
OGSTEP’s success lies in the collaboration of five critical actors:
State Government: Co-finances grants for farmer groups.
Farmer Groups: The primary beneficiaries, organized into Economic Interest Groups.
Value Chain Development Firms (VCDFs): Act as intermediaries, linking farmers to inputs, services, and markets.
Service Providers (SPs): Firms contracted to supply high-quality inputs like seeds, fertilizers, Agrochemicals, Cassava feeds and veterinary services.
Off-takers: To purchase produce, ensuring a steady market for farmers.
This ecosystem ensures farmers have access to essential resources and reliable markets, enhancing both productivity and income.
Empowering Farmers for Sustainable Growth
Since its inception, OGSTEP has organized over 34,000 farmers into groups and clusters, with more than 10,000 receiving direct support. The project’s comprehensive assistance spans crop farming, aquaculture, and poultry, positioning farmers to significantly improve yields and income. In crop production alone, OGSTEP has supported mechanized services like ploughing, harrowing, planting, and harvesting across 4,000 hectares of farmland.
Harvesting is ongoing
The impact is evident in numbers:
Over 66,500 bundles of cassava stems and 3,915 kg of seeds have been distributed.
30,000 liters of agrochemicals and 3,800 bags of fertilizers (both inorganic and organic) have been provided, enhancing crop productivity.
A Breeding Success
OGSTEP’s intervention in aquaculture has led to a more viable fish farming sector, providing smallholder farmers with high-quality fish feed. Similarly, in poultry, nutritious feed has been distributed, along with veterinary services like vaccines and environmentally safe biochemicals, safeguarding the health of animals and boosting productivity.
Impact in Numbers: A Testament to Success
The Project, through the VCDFs have aggregated farmers in their farms into groups and clusters.
The commodities supported in the farm clusters across the State are highlighted in the table below
Reducing Post-Harvest Losses Through Off-taker Arrangements
One of OGSTEP’s standout innovations is its off-taker arrangement. By securing reliable markets for farmers’ produce, this system minimizes the uncertainty of sales, reduces waste, and mitigates post-harvest losses.
Additionally, the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System (OGFIMS) platform (ogunfarminfo.org) connects farmers and off-takers, facilitating seamless trade and improving market opportunities. The platform is a game-changer for boosting market access and encouraging private-sector partnerships in agriculture.
Ready for harvest
A Bright Future for Ogun State’s Agriculture
OGSTEP’s far-reaching impact is undeniable. By empowering smallholder farmers, promoting value chain development, and advancing mechanized farming techniques, the project is driving sustainable growth in Ogun State’s agricultural sector. As food security remains a national priority, OGSTEP is leading the charge, ensuring a more prosperous and resilient future for Ogun State’s farmers.
Simbo Olayinka
OGSTEP Communications Desk
ogstep2020@gmail.com
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https://www.youtube.com/@OGSTEP
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