Deaf Farmers in Lagos State under the aegis of Deaf Farmers’ Cooperative Agricultural Multi-Purpose Society (DFCAMS) have appealed Lagos State Government and Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA) to continue giving the necessary support.
The group made the appeal while launching its maiden Smoked Catfish production on 21st of March, 2024 at the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA) event Hall, Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Deaf Farmers Cooperative Agricultural Multipurpose Society (DFCAMS), Miss Tolase Kolapo urged the State Government to give Deaf farmers a platform to excel and further bring out more potential Deaf farmers in the State by developing strategies that will enhance disability participation in Agriculture and change the mindset of people who see Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) as weak or helpless.
Kolapo also called on members of the society to stop all forms of discrimination against Persons with Disability, adding that PWDs are equal member of the society and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.
The launching was aimed at showcasing the Smoked Catfish collaborative project, a production aimed at harnessing the agricultural potentials of Deaf individual while fostering entrepreneurship and sustainability in the fisheries and in other farming sectors.
Gracing the event was the General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) ably represented by the Director for Social Development and Integration, Mr Kelani Akeem. He noted the move by the Deaf farmers’ group to attain food sustainability and make difference was very commendable and welcomed development. He added that barrier is a thing of the mind and the Deaf farmers’ can achieve whatever they set out to achieve as evident by the group’s success in Smoked Catfish Production.
Adding his voice was the Area Officer of the Agege Cooperatives branch, Mr Omolola Adeniyi; he noted that success comes when efforts, sacrifice and dedication is poured out on whatever Persons with Disability set out to achieve. He expressed his happiness at witnessing the launching of Smoked Catfish Production and implored members of the Deaf farmers Cooperative Agricultural Multi-Purpose Society to put more efforts, show more dedication towards taking the cooperative to a greater heights.
INN reports that DFCAMS was established in 2021 after some members went through training in catfish farming supported by Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA).