The Oyo State chapter of the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has stated that there is a growing need to focus on grassroots farmers, “as they supply the big-time farmers,” and has called on the government to make Oyo state the food basket of the nation.
Mr. Adewunmi Abass, the AFAN secretary, made this declaration during a visit to Governor Seyi Makinde at his private residence in Ibadan.
He stated, “We want Oyo State to become the food basket of Southwest Nigeria and of Nigeria as a whole, thereby bringing back the lost glory of the region.
“We visited the governor to create a partnership that would lead to better agricultural development and food security for Oyo state.
“Our visit was also to express our appreciation to the governor and to highlight the challenges that we, as farmers, are facing and suggest possible solutions,” Abass said.
The chairman of the association, Mr. John Olateru, expressed the association’s readiness to collaborate with the state government in addressing the challenges faced by grassroots farmers.
He emphasized that the government needed to consider the needs of grassroots farmers in its policy formulation.
Olateru acknowledged the government’s execution of notable projects in the agricultural sector with significant impact.
“We appreciate the fact that our children are being trained, and we value the contribution of agri-businesses, which have attracted multinational companies to patronize us,” he said.
However, he noted that the livestock sector was declining and needed revitalization.
The governor was represented during the visit by delegated officials, one of whom, Mr. Babalola Abiodun, stated that Governor Makinde had a keen interest in agriculture and would address the problems faced by farmers.
