Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun on Monday inaugurated the first phase of his administration’s distribution of fertilizers to different categories of farmers, with a promise to aggressively address food shortages in the state.
Approximately 7,000 of the 12,000 farmers enrolled in the scheme will benefit from the first phase.
Speaking at the office of the Governor, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Mr. Abiodun acknowledged the growing disparity between food supply and global food production, which has led to shortages.
“It is well known that the world population is growing exponentially, while total food production is declining and failing to keep pace. We will be more aggressive in tackling food inflation.
“The initiative symbolises more than just the distribution of fertilisers. It represents our collective determination to support the agricultural sector and ensure that farmers have the resources they need to cultivate their land effectively and efficiently.
“Providing the right type and amount of fertilizer is crucial to increasing crop yields, improving quality and ultimately ensuring the food supply for our state and nation,” he said.
The distribution, the governor noted, marked another significant milestone in the ongoing commitment to ensuring food security and empowering farmers.
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He stressed that agriculture remains the backbone of the country’s economy, creating and providing reliable livelihood and employment opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
He pointed to the challenges faced by farmers in terms of unstable market prices and climate change, adding that with the right support and incentives, farmers could boost and transform the country's agricultural sector.
“12,000 farmers will benefit from this programme. In the first phase, at least 7,000 farmers will benefit. This distribution covers various categories of farmers including the Cassava Association of Nigeria, Rice Farmers Association, Maize Association of Nigeria, Assigned Farmers, Farm Service Crop Farmers, Agricultural Development Programme, Settlement and Estate Farmers, Tree Crop Farmers and farmers in the 20 local government areas.
“It is gratifying to note that the continued cooperation of the states and the federal government on this transformation agenda, particularly in agriculture, will create several opportunities. It will serve as a viable business venture and we must all come together to ensure its success,” the governor said.
Mr. Abiodun said the present administration has designed and implemented programmes and interventions through the implementation of the “Building Our Future Together” agenda as encapsulated in the ISEYA mantra.
According to the governor, reforms such as the allocation of agricultural lands to investors in the sector in Imasayi, Afon, Oke-Odan, Mamu and Odeda agricultural settlement, as well as the allocation of lands to members of the State Executive Council, members of the House of Assembly and judges of the High Court, were geared towards operationalizing the state's return to land agenda.
He said his administration had provided materials to 50 women cassava farmers in collaboration with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, empowered 3,000 women farmers with agricultural inputs under the Ogun N-CARES project and provided capacity development to 12,000 farmers under the Value Chain Development Programme.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Bolu Owotomo, said the administration has positively intervened in agricultural activities by giving 1,000 farmers, especially those in agricultural settlements, a 50 percent discount on the purchase of fertilizers, pesticides and cassava stems.
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He said the state government has also intervened through the procurement programme, identifying 30,000 farmers and dividing them into groups of 65 per cent on mechanisation and 50 per cent on inputs and capacity building.
Responding, the Chairman of the All Nigeria Farmers Association, Ogun State Chapter, Kudirat Kusimo, thanked the state government for its efforts in providing relief to the farmers and at the same time called on the farmers to be honest and use the fertilizer for its intended purpose.