In preparation for the upcoming rainy season and to improve food production, Dangote Cement has empowered 60 farmers from host communities in Ibese, Ogun State.
The program aims to enhance their capacity for modern agricultural practices that will increase crop production.
The initiative, which is part of the Community Development Agreement between the cement company and the communities, focused on maize cropping.
The farmers received training on the rudiments of modern maize farming to increase yields with the expected rainfall.
According to the Ibese Plant Director, Azad Nawabuddin, the program involved farmers from all 17 host communities of the cement company.
He emphasized that the company is committed to helping farmers and the community in boosting food production.
The company provided practical training on capacity development for Good Agricultural Practices for soil fertility and maximizing maize cropping.
Additionally, the farmers received support in farm clearing, distribution of farm inputs such as seeds, herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers, as well as agricultural extension services and market access.
Only farmers with a maximum farm size of one hectare and who have been in active farming in the last three years were selected for the program, which was organized in partnership with Midstream Agro, an indigenous agric-support services firm.
One of the participating farmers, Mr. Abisekan Idoola of Abule Oke community, appreciated the benefits of the program and the opportunity to share ideas and best practices with other farmers, which has significantly improved their farm performance.