As part of initiatives by the Kwara State government to enhance agricultural productivity and address food insecurity, around 10,000 farmers have received Brazilian Jumbo cashew seedlings from the Jife Foundation, a non-governmental organization.
The distribution event, titled “Planting the Tree of Generational Wealth,” took place at Iludun-Oro Anglican Girl’s College in the Irepodun local government area.
At the event, the founder, Mr. Deji Adeleke, stated that the goal was to empower 10,000 households with Brazilian Jumbo cashew seedlings to boost commerce in the local government area and its surroundings, promoting wealth creation through innovative agro-preneurs. He emphasized that the Foundation, officially launched at the event, aims to strategically address deficits in youth leadership, technology, education, and innovative agro-preneurship.
“Distributing these cashew seedlings, following Jife Foundation’s computer skills empowerment initiative, will expand opportunities for local youth and promote commerce on a larger scale,” said Mr. Adeleke.
Co-founder Mrs. Ife Adeleke encouraged beneficiaries to form cashew cooperatives to maximize the benefits of the initiative. She highlighted the potential of Brazilian Jumbo cashews to produce thrice annually after three years of nurturing, which could inject more money into the local economy, entrench shared prosperity, and attract factories to the area.
In her address, Kwara State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, representing Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, praised the Foundation for its foresight and commitment to strengthening farmers’ capacities.
Representatives of the farmers, Mrs. Victoria Dada and Mr. Olawuyi Olabode, assured the Foundation of their dedication to ensuring the scheme’s success. “We will plant the seedlings with enthusiasm, anticipating bountiful harvests after three years,” they said.
