Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, took a significant step towards enhancing food production in the state by unveiling 31 newly purchased tractors for farmers on Friday. This initiative is part of a broader effort to bolster food security and support the agricultural sector in the region.
The unveiling ceremony, held at the Agricultural Inputs Supply Unit (AISU) in Ede, marked the commencement of the distribution of vital agricultural inputs to farmers’ associations, including those representing persons with disabilities. Governor Adeleke emphasized that his administration has committed a substantial N10 billion to the agricultural sector to ensure the state achieves adequate food production levels.
“We are distributing 6,000 herbicides, 80,000 cashew seedlings, 8,000 cassava cuttings, 8,000 various vegetable seeds, and 500 bags of lime to our farmers, women associations, people living with disabilities, and government schools with large farmlands,” the governor announced. “We are equally unveiling 31 newly purchased tractors with full implements for the use of our farmers in Osun State, which represents the first phase of this project. These tractors will be released to farmers’ cooperative societies and associations after all necessary administrative procedures have been concluded.”
Governor Adeleke further highlighted the state’s commitment to the agricultural sector, revealing that N8 billion has been allocated for the acquisition of additional tractors and farm clearing equipment, all within the framework of due process. Additionally, N2 billion has been earmarked for farm input support.
Earlier in the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Tola Faseru, elaborated on the tractor distribution strategy. He explained that the tractors would be distributed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model among farmers’ associations, youth groups, women, and persons living with disabilities (PWD), to facilitate their farm operations.
Commissioner Faseru also announced that Governor Adeleke would present a cheque of N8.6 million to each poultry farmer participating in the Osun Broiler Outgrower Production Scheme (OBOPS). This funding will enable each farmer to raise 2,000 day-old broiler birds to table size within six weeks, with the cycle being repeated continuously. The off-taker will then buy back the fully grown birds from each farmer, ensuring a stable market and income for the participants.
“We now have herbicides, cashew seedlings, cassava cuttings, various vegetable seeds, and bags of lime available for free distribution to Osun farmers,” Faseru added. “It will interest you to know that all primary and secondary schools in the state will be empowered with vegetable and arable seeds for planting after their resumption in September 2024, making them an integral part of the food security value chain.”
This comprehensive initiative by the Osun State Government is expected to significantly enhance food production, support local farmers, and ensure the sustainability of the agricultural sector in the state.
