The Oyo State Government has distributed farm inputs and agricultural assets to farmers in six Local Government Areas (LGAs) in order to boost food production and food security in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, supervised the distribution the of farm inputs and agricultural assets to the farmers.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, reveals that the flag-off of the distribution in the six LGAs is part of the ongoing Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER)programme by the government.
Olaleye noted that the Oyo State government is committed to enhancing quality and increased farm produce, in order to boost food security in the state.
Unveiling the distribution at the Saki West Local Government Area, Olaleye, who is also the Chairman, Food Security under SAfER, said the 4th phase of the farm inputs distribution was officially flagged off at Ibarapa East, Eruwa, where about 2537 farmers across Ibarapa zones benefited.
He disclosed that the distribution is ongoing simultaneously at the six Local Government Areas in Oke Ogun, which include ATISBO, Saki West, Oorelope, Kajola, Iwajowa and Itesiwaju.
Speaking through the Director, Regulation and Enforcement, Mr Olusegun Ezekiel, the commissioner noted that the move was part of the state government’s plan to cushion the effect of hardship on citizens ocassioned by the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.
He revealed that the beneficiaries would go home with herbicides, snap-sack sprayer tank, 16kg hybrid maize seedlings, insecticide and 20 bundles of improved cassava stems, saying about 766 arable farmers would be given inputs in the six local government areas in Oke Ogun.
The commissioner equally explained that the fifth phase of the SAfER scheme, in the food sector, including free vaccination for cattle, distribution of feed to goat and sheep farmers, as well as subsidy on the use of tractors for farmers will commence in the next few weeks.
In their separate remarks, the Baale Agbe ATISBO and Oorelope, Mr Daniel Oketola and Mr Oladunni Isaiah, commended the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for bringing succour to farmers in the State.
While the farmer-heads noted that the distribution was timely, they urged farmers to make judicious use of the inputs.
