Ogun State Government has flagged off the 2024 planting season with distribution of high quality seeds,fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, and modern mechanisation services to over 500 farmers from different agricultural clusters in Abeokuta, the State capital
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Bolu Owotomo made this known during the official flag off of the planting season and distribution of inputs to farmers at Model Farm Estate, Owowo, Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and ogun state Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) in partnership with NAMDAM Integrated Services Limited and OKD Agro services Limited in Abeokuta Agricultural Zone.
Owotomo who said that the farm suppliments were distributed to the farmers to sow the seed of change and progress in the state, emphasised that the distribution was aimed at empowering farmers with resources, knowledge and support, to enhance productivity, improve livelihood and ensure food security
He added that empowering farmers for sustainable agriculture was a pathway to food security
The Commissioner described agricultural sector as the cornerstone for socio economic development of any state or country which according to him, ensures provision of food and raw materials, generate employment and stimulate economic growth
He stressed that government would continue to strive towards agricultural advancement, calling on private sector, civil society and farmers to rededicate themselves to the noble cause by working together to build a thriving sector that would foster inclusive growth and sustainable development.
He further explained that the state government had recently supported over 20,000 farmers through OGSTEP Agric, with significant investments exceeding N600M, covering mechanisation services supply of fertilizer, seeds and stems, agro chemical and others including day old chicks, fish feeds, poultry feed , capacity building, adding that off takers linkages for expected yields was also facilitated with an estimated 107 thousand tonnes of produce anticipated from last season production.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Samuel Adeogun, said the distribution of inputs to different cluster was to ensure food security and give succour to farmers, noting that it would be replicated in other geo political zones of the state.
Adeogun admonished farmers to make effective use of the inputs given, promising that issue of fulani herdsmen distroying their farnms would be checkmated .
Similarly, the Special Adviser, Dr Leke Otegbeye,who was represented by Mr Jimoh Fadipe and the Senior Special Assistant, Dr Angel Adelaja, said the roles of farmers cannot be over emphasized, enjoining them to maximally utilize the inputs distributed for increased production to take the state agricultural sector to the next level .
Earlier, the Programme Manager, OGSTEP Agric, Dr Oluseyi Olugbire assured farmers of more government and partners support, stressing that the distribution would play significant role in enhancing their productivity
Contributing, the Chairman, Association Estates Farmers of Ogun State, Sunday Odu in his goodwill message commended the present administration for giving farmers a place of pride, saying that promised made to farmers was also kept.
Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries, Dr Eric Igalo , representing Chain makers farmers cluster, and Princess Olubunmi Soyebi representing peculiar farmers appreciated the state government and partners for the gesture, promising that the inputs given would be judiciously use to further enhance their productivity.
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