Ogun Govt, FG, World Bank Distribute Free Agro Inputs, Assets To Farmers To Boost Production

Ogun State Government in conjunction with the Federal Government and the World Bank has distributed free agro-inputs and assets to farmers in Ogun West Senatorial District of the State, as part of measures to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on massive food production

The State Government under the OGUN-CARES FADAMA had already carried out the same gesture in Ogun East and Ogun Central senatorial Districts of the State.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Yewa South Local Government, Hon. Lateef Salami, commended the State government for assisting farmers at the grassroots level, pointing out that the gesture was in fulfillment of the government’s promise made to the farmers in the area during COVID-19 lockdown.

 Advising the beneficiaries of the gesture to make good use of the inputs and assets, the Chairman, urged the recipients not to sell the equipment given to them, stating that monitoring units have been set up to oversee and monitor the machines and other agric equipment given to them.

He said that more equipment and inputs are still coming from the State government to further relieve the farmers of the hardship faced during the lockdown.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the Project Manager, Mrs. Solape Awe, who was represented by Mr. Babatunde Berckley, stated that the project was designed to provide economic incentives to farmers across the State and to liberate them from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Mrs. Awe said that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration was passionate about smallholder farmers, particularly youths and women, with the goal of turning their fortunes around positively, as the items given to them were good leverage capable of reviving their dwindling farming businesses.

She also cautioned the beneficiaries not to obstruct the chances of other farmers benefiting from the project by making judicious use of the items given them, as the free distributed agro-inputs and product assets are not for sale.

 Giving the vote of thanks, the leader of the farmers in Yewa South Local Government, Mr Friday Hunjeun, expressed delight at the incentives, describing them as motivators that would revitalize and sustain their farming enterprises, adding that the government's initiatives would encourage many to develop interest and venture into agric business especially the unemployed.