For his efforts towards ensuring food security in Oyo State, local government chairmen in Surulere, Irepo, Ibarapa East, Central, Saki West, Atisbo and Ogo-Oluwa Local Governments have commended the state’s Governor Seyi Makinde.
The commendation was made after farmers in the council areas received farm inputs from the Oyo State Community Action Resilience and Economic Stimulus (Oyo-CARES).
The farm inputs distribution exercise was described as a seamless process and timely support to the farmers across the state.
The exercise according to the state project Coordinator, Result Area 2 for Nigeria Community Action Resilience and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES), Mr Bamigbola Kolawole, is aimed at distribution of agricultural inputs and provision of capacity building and extension services to 3,660 beneficiaries in 26 local government areas of Oyo State.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the distribution of the farm inputs to farmers in his council area, Chairman, Surulere Local Government, Hon . Adegbite Isaiah, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his timely support for farmers in the state.
He also called on the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the farm inputs given to them in order to key into the governor’s vision of food sustainability in the state.
Also in his remarks, the Chairman of Irepo Local Government, who received the N-Cares team in his local government Secretariat at Kishi, Hon. Tunde Olayiwola, lauded the governor for providing farm inputs such as NPK fertilizers, cassava cuttings, maize seeds, herbicides, goats, tomatoes seeds among others to boost their farm produce.
Meanwhile, farmers across the council areas visited by N-Cares team during the ongoing distribution exercise, have expressed their appreciation to the governor for his commitment towards boosting agriculture to enhance the state economy and ensure food sufficiency for all and sundry.
In Ibarapa East Local Government, out of the 100 beneficiaries under Ogooluwa FCA, five groups of 10 farmers each (50) got tomato seeds with 1 liter of herbicides and 50kg bag of NPK fertilizers, while 50 farmers got 20 bundles of cassava cuttings each with other inputs.
Ibarapa East Local Government Chairman, Hon. Kazeem Arogundade, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Olatunji Kasali, thanked the state government for the support to the farmers in his council area.
He called for further assistance to farmers with the provision of tractors to enable more farmers engage in mechanized agriculture.
The Chairman, Ogooluwa Farmers Association FCA, Mr. Moshood Adedeji, appreciated the federal, state and the local governments for the gesture.
“We are asking them for more so that we can boost the economy of this country, so that we can achieve food security.”
He assured that the inputs will be used appropriately, saying that in the next 365 days, its positive impact will be seen.
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Yetunde Olalere expressed appreciation for the gesture. She said it would go a long way in boosting food production in the area.
In Ibarapa Central Local Government, 100 farmers under Iwojowa FCA also received 20 bundles of cassava cuttings each, as well as herbicides, NPK fertilizers and maize seeds.
The Director of Agriculture in the council area, Mr Bello Abidemi, advised the beneficiaries to continue to support the state government’s efforts at ensuring food security by judiciously utilizing the inputs for its intended purposes.
Similarly, in Saki West Local Government, three groups of 10 farmers, under Ifesowapo FCA and another 10 groups of 10 farmers, under Ifedayo FCA benefited from the gesture as each person in the group went home with 50kg, NPK fertilizer, herbicide and maize seeds.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Olaleye at the event held at the OYSADEP Headquarters, Saki, the Chief of Staff, Hon Oladeji Richard, described the agricultural input support to the farmers as a welcome development which would assist in tackling the challenges of food insecurity and scarcity in the state.
In the same vein, beneficiaries of the agricultural inputs in Atisbo Local Government, Tede, expressed gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde for the support to farmers in the area.
At the council secretariat venue of the distribution exercise to 90 maize and 10 livestock farmers under Agbesowapo FCA, the farmers expressed optimism that the development would translate into increase in food production by 2025.
The council boss, Hon Alade Olumuyiwa, represented by Hon Rabiu Adekola, a Supervisory Councilor for Agriculture in the local government, said the initiative will further boost agricultural activities in the area.
He urged farmers to cooperate with the state government in its efforts to expand the economy of the state through agriculture
Chairman of the Agbesowapo FCA, Deacon John Ogunrinde, while also appreciating the state government for the support, solicited for provision of farm implements such as weeders and planters for farmers in the area.
In Ogo Oluwa Local Government, Ajaawa, Ifesowapo FCA Ajaawa, which comprised two livestock farmers groups, two tomatoes farmers groups, and six cassava farmers groups, received the total number of 40 she goats, as each livestock farmers went home with 2 goats. Each of the tomatoes farmers received 20 grammes of tomatoes seeds, 50kg bag of NPK fertilizer, and 1 liter of herbicide. While each of the cassava farmers received 20 bundles of Cassava cuttings, 50 kg of NPK fertilizer, 1 liter of herbicide.
In Ogbomoso South LGA, where we have Saanuaje FCA, 8 groups of maize farmers shared 800 kg of maize seeds, 80 bags 50k NPK fertilizer and 80 liters of herbicide, 2 livestock farmers shared 80 goats. While in Surulere LGA, Iresa Adu, under Agbewuyi FCA, where we have 10 groups of maize farmers, making 100 beneficiaries, as each of the beneficiaries collected 10k bag of maize, 50kg of NPK fertilizer and 1 liter of herbicide.
Also in Ogbomoso North, farmers under Ifesowapo FCA which comprised 5 groups of tomatoes farmers, and five maize farmers groups, received their farm inputs accordingly, so also the process in Oriire Local Government under Irewolede FCA, just as 2,000 bundles of cassava cuttings were distributed among hundred farmers at the ratio of twenty bundles per beneficiaries, alongside 50kg of NPK fertilizer and 1 liter of herbicide.
In Irepo Local Government, Kishi under Alasela FCA which comprises ten groups of maize farmers and three group of livestock farmers, the 30 livestock farmers shared 60 goats, while the maize farmers also shared their farm inputs which includes 50kg of NPK fertilizer, 1 liter of herbicide and 10kg of maize seeds.
The N-Cares team visited Itesiwaju Local Government Secretariat for distribution exercise followed by Iwajowo Local Government, where the council chairmen, Hon. Ojo Olayemi and Hon. Oyewunmi Abiodun, respectively made symbolic presentation of the inputs to the farmers.
The duo while thanking Governor Seyi Makinde for the gesture, promised to complement the state government’s efforts by replicating the program in their domains.
They noted that it will bring relief to the farmers and in turn boost food production in the state.
In Itesiwaju LGA, 200 farmers grouped into two FCAs, (100 farmers each) Iranlowo and Asejere got maize seeds, 50kg NPK fertilizers and herbicides, while in Iwajowa counci secretariat, another 200 farmers in two FCAs Ifelagba and Agbedara benefited from the inputs. Each farmer in Ifelagba FCA got 20 bundles of cassava cuttings, herbicides and fertilizers while the other group, Agbedara FCA received a bag of maize seedlings, agro-chemicals and 50 kg NPK fertilizers.
Packaged by Adekunle Adegboyega
