Ogun Government says a total of 3, 200 farmers have received agro-inputs and matching grants with discounts to boost production of Cassava and Rice in the state
The government also completed the rehabilitation of production and processing facilities at all the eight farm settlements, farm estates, and fish clusters in areas such as Ajegunle, Sawonjo, Ado-Odo, Ago-Iwoye, Ikenne, Ibiade, Coker, Ilewo, Olorunda, Isaga, Eriwe, and Ikangba aimed at enhancing livelihood of farmers, enhance productivity and improved infrastructural facilities
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo made the disclosure in Abeokuta on Thursday at a press conference marking his two years in office and the celebration of the 2025 World Food Day which has its theme Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future
He gave the breakdown of the farmers to include 400 cassava and 300 rice farmers) in Odogbolu and Obafemi Owode who got free agro-inputs under the Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ)
"Another 2,500 farmers (2,120 cassava and 380 rice) benefited with matching grants at 20% for women and 30% for men in Eggua, Odogbolu, Obafemi, Owode North, Ijebu-East, and Obafemi Owode LGAs".
"Furthermore, we have refurbished five (nos) bulldozers to make farm mechanization services available to farmers and minimize cost of land clearing", the commissioner stated
The State partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Digital Economy under the AGRICONNECT Initiative according to him, has empowered 1,000 farmers with internet-enabled mobile devices for advisory services, with 500 handsets already distributed statewide
Owotomo added that the launch of the Ogun State Farmers' Information Management System (OGFIMS) had provided a digital platform for farmers registration and all value chain actors in the State and created data base of farmers and value chain actors
"In the spirit of "Hand in Hand," we have prioritized direct support to farmers through input distribution and capacity building. Under the OGSTEP Agric Project, we procured and distributed 100 petrol-powered irrigation pumps to 843 farmers in groups, to aid all season farming activities of farmers, increased production and productivity", he disclosed
The Prince Dapo Abiodun's administration, he stated also supported the "Home garden concept " with tool kits and planting materials reaching households in four LGAs under Special Agro Processing Zone in Owode-Egba, Ayetoro, Ijebu-Mushin, Odogbolu, North, Ijebu North, and Obafemi Owode
"Through the OG-CARES program, we distributed labor-intensive infrastructure, including drip irrigation at Ado-Odo Farm Settlement, road and toilet rehabilitation with water facilities in Imowo, culverts and pedestrian bridges in Okun-Owa, across Ijebu-North East, Odogbolu, and Ado-Odo Ota LGAs. Agricultural assets like 27 water pumps, 83 motorized and knapsack sprayers, 12 cassava graters, 12 hydraulic presses, and 3 smoking kilns reached 1,700 farmers statewide".
"We also provided inputs and services like 480 goats, 580 pigs, 12,000 day-old chicks, 540 bags of feeds, 290 bags of NPK, 110 liters of liquid fertilizer, 180 liters of agrochemicals, 24,000 fish juveniles, and 260 bags of fish feeds to 1,600 farmers across all 20 LGAs"
Animal health and livestock development, he added had witnessed a significant investments with the conduct of mass vaccination of 83,108 animals: cattle, sheep, and goats against anthrax across the state in addition to a one-day sensitization workshop on African swine fever prevention which reached 400 farmers in Ariogbo, Ifo LGA
"Youth development remains a priority. Under the Ogun Youth Agric. Programme in collaboration with Soilless farm lab, the State Government through the Ministry has trained and empowered 192 Youths on Soilless farming, the State Government paid them monthly stipends and some hectares of lands have been allocated to them"
"Twenty VCDP youths from Eight (8) participating LGAs are undergoing a six-week intensive training in fabricating simple agricultural machines at our Incubation Center in Abeokuta, equipping them for the future," Owotomo stated
The achievements according to him, are not just numbers; they represent lives transformed, communities strengthened, and a State moving towards self-sufficiency in food production.
He assured that the state would continue to work hand in hand with Federal Agencies like FGN/IFAD, OGSTEP, parastatals like OGADEP, and dedicated farmers in building a resilient agrifood system that ensures better foods for today and a brighter future for generations to come
The Commissioner then called on all stakeholders including farmers, private sectors, NGOs, and international partners to join government in scaling the efforts made so far, so as to eradicate hunger, promote sustainable practices, and make Ogun State a model for food security in Nigeria.
The was later exhibition of foods and processed foods by farmers and various agro-processing firms to showcase the agricultural potentials of the State as part of this year's Food Day celebration
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