Food Security: OGSG expand #498m to empower farmers

By Olawale Kolawole, Abeokuta 

In Furtherance to its mandate of increasing food supply and improv livelihood of small holder farmers, OGUN-CARES FADAMA has supported farmers with N498 million worth of inputs, assets and infrastructures.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo disclosed this, while Flagging off the distribution of the inputs at Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, stating that, a total of 8,755 farmers in different enterprises would be supported with 1,000 bags of NPK fertilizers, 2,000 litres of herbicides, 2,000 litres of liquid fertilizers, 50 cassava processing equipment and 100 irrigation pumps.

He said that livestock farmers would be supported with 10,000-day old chicks, 1,000 bags of chick’s starter mash, 45,000 juvenile fish, 500 bags of fish crumble feed, 500 pig weaners as well as 500 goat growers.

The Commissioner disclosed that, rehabilitation of toilets and provision of potable water were ongoing at five wet markets to enhance hygiene and safe food production, while five rural road rehabilitation were also being done for easy transportation of farm produce to the markets.

"This is to support our farmers across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state, as a clear indication of the Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration’s commitment, to boosting farming activities, preparing our farmers for the upcoming planting season and encouraging dry-season farming initiatives. This generous support being coordinated by OG CARES will go a long way in addressing key challenges being faced by our farmers, while fostering growth in agricultural productivity", he said.

In her keynote address, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs. Kehinde Jokooye, implored the beneficiaries to complement government's efforts by doing the needful with the inputs and assets given, urging them to expose their children to farming businesses.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Project Manager, Mr. Oluwafemi Odubiyi, congratulated the beneficiaries, saying the distribution exercise was done at the beginning of the year, to equip farmers with necessary tools as they prepare for planting season. He assured that there would be availability of water for irrigation all year round.

Responding, one the beneficiaries from Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Mr. Oluwatoyin Oni and his counterpart from Yewa North Local Government, Mrs. Tunrayo Fayomi, appreciated the state government for giving them the inputs, assets and the infrastructures, assuring the government that the items would be used appropriately.