As part of efforts to further boost Agricultural production and improve food security and empower farmers across the State, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has inaugurated the State Working Committee for the National Agricultural Growth And Agro Pocket (NAGS – AP).
Performing the inauguration in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji said that the Committee will work out modalities to ensure that subsidized farm inputs, including high yield cassava stems, rice, maize seeds as well as fertilizers, herbicides pesticides and other agricultural inputs get to the real farmers in order for the programme to have the expected multiplier effect on agricultural output and food sufficiency in the State
Governor Oyebanji who was represented by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade noted that efforts are on to replicate the Committee and the process of engaging the right farmers at the grassroots level through the Ministry of Local Government, the Local Government Chairmen and the traditional rulers.
The State helmsman expressed optimism that with the process and other strategic plans of the State Government in the Agric sector, the years ahead will witness food sufficiency for the people of the state
A member of the Committee and Commissioner for Information, Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun noted that the step was another milestone in the bid to enhance food security, empower the youths and improve the States’ economy.
He commended the State Governor for taking proactive steps towards putting security architecture in place to protect farmers, charging the different Associations and stakeholders to sensitize farmers on the gesture in order to rekindle their confidence and assurance of safety.
In their remarks, the State Commissioner for Local Government, Mr Folorunso Olabode, the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional rulers Oba Faboro represented by the Onisan, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon, as well as the representatives of the security top brass in the State and leaders of Farmers Groups who form members of the Committee commended both the Federal and Ekiti State Governments for the initiative made towards food security and promised to work round the clock to ensure success of the programme.
Earlier in his address, the Ekiti State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Olusegun Aderemi urged Ekiti State farmers to embrace and participate fully in the programme, avail themselves of the puts and put them to good use rather than thinking of selling them
He noted that the Federal Government will be subsidizing the inputs to the tune of 75% while the farmers would pay the remaining 25%.
A total of 3,240 farmers will form the first batch of beneficiaries of the Programme in the State.
Packaged by Mayowa Owogbade
