According to a news report from Punch, efforts to enhance agricultural produce in Kwara State and address endemic food insecurity received a significant boost as 10,000 seedlings of the Brazilian Jumbo Cashew were distributed to farmers. This initiative, carried out by the Jife Foundation, benefited farmers from various wards in the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The distribution of the cashew seedlings tagged: “Planting the Tree of Generational Wealth” by the Foundation was held at the Anglican Girls College, Iludun-Oro, in Irepodun LGA of the state on Wednesday.

According to Mr Deji Adeleke, founder of the Jife Foundation, “The strategy is to empower 10,000 households with the Brazilian jumbo cashew seedlings to boost commerce within the Irepodun LGA and environs with a view to promoting wealth creation through innovative agropreneurs.”

Continuing, he added, “The primary focus of the Foundation, is to strategically reposition youth leadership, promotion of technology education and innovative agropreneurs deficit.”

Adeleke stressed that the “Distribution of cashew seedlings, is a follow-up to the Jife Foundation’s computer skills empowerment, which would broaden opportunities for youth domiciled within the local government. It would also promote commerce on a larger scale,”

Mrs Ife Adeleke, co-founder of the Foundation urged the beneficiaries to form cashew cooperatives for maximum utilisation of the gesture.

She observed that robust opportunities abound in the Brazilian jumbo cashew as it has the potential to produce thrice annually, after three years of nurturing.

“Mass production of the cashew would inject more money, entrench shared prosperity and attract factories into the neighbourhood,” Mrs Adeleke assured.

In her address, the Kwara State Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas, who represented Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, commended the Foundation for its foresight and demonstration of zeal to strengthen the capacity of farmers in the state.

Representatives of farmers, Mrs Victoria Dada and Mr Olawuyi Olabode assured the Foundation of their determination to ensure the success of the scheme. “We would plant the seedlings with enthusiasm, expecting bountiful harvests after three years,” they concluded.