A Group Photograph of some of the farmer beneficiaries with guests and members of management of Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese plant after the Agric Inputs presentation during the Dangote Cement, Ibese 2024 Farmers Empowerment Programme held at Ibese, Ogun state.
n a committed effort to enhance food production and foster socio-economic development, Dangote Cement Ibese Plant has made significant contributions to local farmers by donating essential agricultural supplies. This initiative, part of the company’s broader empowerment programme, aims to ensure food security within its host communities.
At a special presentation event in Ibese, 60 farmers from 17 surrounding communities received vital farming inputs, including fertilizers, herbicides, and knapsack sprayers, to aid them in the upcoming farming season. The farmers also participated in a comprehensive training session on “Integrated Pest Management and Crop Protection,” which covered effective techniques for using the donated inputs and managing crop health.
Roy Uttam, Director of the Ibese Plant, highlighted that this donation is a key component of Dangote Cement’s Social Investment drive, which is anchored on four pillars: Education, Health, Empowerment, and Infrastructure. He emphasized that the company’s investments are designed to create lasting social value, positively impacting the lives of local residents.
“Today, sixty farmers across our 17 host communities are being trained on the theme ‘Integrated Pest Management and Crop Protection,’ and each will go home with essential farming tools and materials. This gesture aims to enhance the productivity of these farmers, strengthen food security, and boost revenue across the agricultural value chain in our communities,” Uttam said.
He noted that climate change and erratic weather patterns have increasingly affected crop production, making it crucial for farmers to adopt best practices. Uttam assured that Dangote Cement is committed to continuous support, having already assisted 180 farmers since 2022 through training and provision of farm inputs, significantly impacting the local economy.
L – R: Ilo Akani Abel, one of the farmer beneficiaries; Gbenga Aina, Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese plant, Head of Human Assets Management and Admin; Roy Uttam,Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plc Ibese plant, Director and Mrs. Ibikunle Latifat, a female farmer beneficiary, during the Agric Inputs presentation at the Dangote Cement Plc Ibese plant, 2024 Farmers Empowerment Programme held at Ibese plant, Ogun state.
The distribution of these inputs, according to Uttam, underscores the strong relationship between the Ibese Plant and its host communities. He urged the farmers to utilize the resources effectively to elevate their communities as leading food producers in Ogun State.
The Chairman of the Communities’ Representatives, Dayo Ogunyinka, expressed deep gratitude for the timely intervention, noting that it would greatly enhance farmers’ yields and overall food production. Representing the beneficiaries, farmer Waheed Orisatola pledged that the farmers would honor Dangote Cement’s support by using the inputs as intended.
Through this initiative, Dangote Cement Ibese Plant continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to the socio-economic development and food security of its host communities, contributing to a more prosperous future for all.
