Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting farmers and boosting food production in Nigeria.
He made this statement while launching the harvest of 80 hectares of cassava farmland at Ifonyintedo in Ipokia Local Government Area. Abiodun was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo.
This initiative is part of the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, which aims to improve agricultural productivity and enhance farmers’ livelihoods. The program is designed to boost food security and provide economic empowerment to farmers.
The state government provided significant support to the 80 farmers involved in the cassava project. The farmers received a 65% subsidy on land clearing and 50% discounts on cassava stems, herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. Each farmer is expected to earn at least N2.4 million from their harvest.
Access to markets has been a challenge for farmers. However, the state government addressed this by connecting the farmers to reliable buyers who will purchase their produce right after harvest. This ensures that farmers won’t face post-harvest losses.
Governor Abiodun emphasized the importance of transforming the agricultural sector and urged more farmers to take part in future programs. He stressed that collaboration is key to achieving food sufficiency in Ogun State.
Mr. Abiodun Yusuph, speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude for the support. He shared that the government had covered 65% of the cost for the first and second ploughing, and subsidized 50% of the cost of fertilizers and other farming inputs, which made farming easier.
Dr. Ope Adejuwon, the representative of the agricultural sector project manager, clarified that the empowerment program targets only active farmers. “This initiative is for genuine farmers who are actively engaged in farming,” he said.
