The Commissioner for Agriculture in Ogun State, Mr. Bolu Owotomo, revealed that more than 30,000 farmers have benefited from various intervention programs implemented by the State Government.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the distribution of agricultural inputs and services to farmers under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project in Yewa Agricultural zone, Owotomo emphasized the government’s dedication to the agricultural sector.
He stated that over 20,000 farmers had received support through OGSTEP, with investments exceeding 600 million, covering mechanization services, the supply of fertilizers, seedlings, agrochemicals, day-old chicks, fish feed, poultry feed, as well as training and capacity building.
The State Government also facilitated off-taker linkages for expected yields, anticipating an estimated 107 thousand metric tonnes of produce from last season’s production.
Owotomo emphasized, “Today, we gather not just to distribute inputs but to sow the seeds of change and progress. Through this initiative, we aim to empower our farmers with resources, knowledge, and support to enhance productivity, improve livelihoods, and ensure food security.”
In her welcome address, the coordinator of OGSTEP, Mrs. Mosunmola Owo-Odunsi, represented by the Programme Manager, Dr. Oluseyi Olugbire, highlighted the program’s achievements, noting that the received testimonies prove the State Government’s commitment to farmers’ well-being.
Managing Director of RBS Consortium, Mr. Akinremi Osijo, and IBAD Limited’s counterpart, Mr. Jamiu Adeyemi, in their separate submissions, emphasized the event’s significance in creating visibility for the OGSTEP program and transforming the zone’s agribusiness environment for collective wealth creation.
The distributed inputs included high-quality seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and mechanical services, alongside training programs, market linkages, and equipping farmers with skills to adopt best practices.
SOURCE:PUNCH