Oyo State Farmers Reap Big from Agric Initiatives – Olaleye
By Adewale Owoade.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, has announced that the state’s agricultural programs have positively impacted tens of thousands of farmers.
Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing, Olaleye attributed the state’s agricultural success to Governor Seyi Makinde’s visionary leadership.
He said that Oyo State is the largest producer of cassava and poultry products in Nigeria, and that has attracted significant investments, including from the African Development Bank (AFDB).
“Our massive distribution of 65,000 bundles of cassava stems to 1,269 farmers, demonstrates our commitment to food security, with projections showing potential production of 214,143.75 tons of cassava tubers from 47,587.5 acres of newly planted farmland.
“The statistics we received from Ibarapa zone is that between 1st of December and 30th of May, people across Nigeria have moved out more than 11,000 tons of Cassava tuber out of Oyo State, that is about 450 trucks of Cassava taken out of Oyo State within the period of 6 months.
“These achievements represent a comprehensive approach to agricultural development that addresses every aspect of the value chain – from input supply and production support to processing, marketing, and capacity building.
“Our programs have directly impacted tens of thousands of farmers while building the infrastructure and institutional capacity needed for sustainable agricultural growth in Oyo State.
“The combination of technical services, infrastructure development, and human capital investment positions our state as a leader in agricultural innovation and food security in Nigeria, this is how far we have gone” Olaleye stated.
Earlier in her opening remark, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo, encouraged newsmen to be objective and fair in their reportage.
Also in his welcome address, Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said that Gov. Makinde promised the People of Oyo State to take them from poverty to prosperity and he was elected because the people believed not just in the promises but also in his capacity to deliver on those promises.
“When a leader casts a vision, his team members catch the mission, the vision of taking the People of Oyo State from Poverty to Prosperity is implemented by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) through their various interventions.
“In other words, the MDAs are the channels through which the promises made by His Excellency are actualized. So, it is apposite that the MDAs give an account of their stewardship.
“These engagements will afford the Honourable Commissioners and Heads of Government Agencies and Departments the opportunity to give an account of their service to the people of Oyo State and explain how the administration’s activities are improving the lives of citizens. (NAN)
