Surulere, Irepo LGAs Chairmen Laud Makinde, As Excited Farmers In Ibarapa, Saki-West, Atisbo, Oriire, Others Receive OYO-Cares Agric Inputs

•By Oyeniyi Awojoodu, Ibadan 

IBADAN – Oyo state Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde have been commended for his efforts towards ensuring food sufficiency in the state, just as the Oyo-Cares farm inputs distribution to some selected local government areas in the state continue with seamless process.

Governor Makinde, who was commended by farmers who have received their farm inputs without any hiccups expressed satisfaction over the exercise and also applauded the Governor for his timely support to the farmers across the state.

The ongoing distribution exercise is being coordinated by the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, (OYSADA).

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 local government area, the Executive Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Iresa Adu, Hon Adegbite Isaiah commended Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde for his timely support to the 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 Governor Makinde’s vision of food sustainability in the state.

Also in his remarks, the Executive Chiarman of Irepo Local Government who received the N-Cares team in his local government Secretariat at Kishi, Hon Tunde Taoheed Olayiwola lauded Governor Makinde for supporting farmers with farm inputs such as NPK fertilizers, cassava cuttings, maize seeds, herbicides, goats, tomato seeds among others.

Meanwhile, some farmers In Ibarapa East, Ibarapa Central, Saki West, Surulere, Irepo, Atisbo, Ogo Oluwa and other Local Government Areas of Oyo state visited by N-Cares team during the ongoing distribution exercise have lauded the State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde for its 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 the other 50 farmers got 20 bundles of cassava cuttings each with other inputs.

The Executive Chairman, Ibarapa East Local Government, Hon. Kazeem Arogundade who was represented by the Chief of Staff of the council, Hon Olatunji Kasali at the event, lauded the state government support to the farmers, while also calling for further assistance to the farmers with the provision of tractors to enable more farmers engage in mechanized agriculture.

In an interview with newsmen, Chairman, Ogooluwa Farmers Association FCA in Ibarapa East, Mr Moshood Adedeji, appreciated both the Federal, state and the local government for the gesture while also requesting for more support in terms of provision of adequate tractors and other farming equipment to enhance agricultural activities in the area and the state at large.

He said, “We are asking them for more so we can boost the economy of this country so that we can achieve food security.” He assured that the inputs will be used appropriately, adding that in the next 365 days, its positive impact will be seen. Another beneficiary, Mrs Yetunde Olalere who expressed appreciation for the gesture, 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, Ibarapa Central Local Government, Mr Bello Abidemi, advised the beneficiaries 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 each under Ifesowapo FCA and another 10 groups of 10 farmers under Ifedayo FCA each benefited from the gesture as each went home with 50 kg NPK fertilizer, herbicide and a bag of maize seeds.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Chairman of the Local Government, Hon Gbenga Olaleye, at the event held at the OYSADEP Headquarters, Saki, the Council’s Chief of Staff, Hon Oladeji Richard described the agric 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 agric inputs in Atisbo local government, Tede, expressed gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde for the support to farmers in the area.

At the Local Government Secretariat venue of the distribution exercise to 90 maize farmers and 10 livestock farmers under Agbesowapo FCA, the farmers expressed optimism that the development would translate into an increase in food production in 2025.

The council boss, Hon Alade Olumuyiwa represented by Hon. Rabiu Adekola, the Supervisory Councilor for Agriculture in the local government, said the initiative of the state government 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 comprises two livestock farmers groups, two tomato farmers groups, and six cassava farmers groups received a total number of 40 she goats, as each livestock farmer went home with 2 goats. Each of the tomato farmers received 20 grammes of tomato 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 Kiniran, farmers under Ifesowapo FCA which comprises 5 groups of tomato 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 the distribution exercise followed by Iwajowo Local Government where the council chairmen, Hon. Ojo Monsuru Olayemi and Hon Oyewunmi Muritala 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 efforts by replicating the program in their domains. They both noted that it will bring relief to the farmers and in turn boost food production in the state.

In Itesiwaju LGA, 200 hundred farmers grouped into two FCAs, (100 farmers each) Iranlowo and Asejere got maize seeds, 50 kg NPK fertilizers and herbicides while in Iwajowo Local Government 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, herbicide and fertilizer while the other group, Agbedara FCA, each farmer received a bag of maize seedlings, agro-chemical and 50 kg NPK fertilizer.