Iseyin, Kajola, and Iwajowa local governments in Oyo State have witnessed a heartening moment as farmers in these areas received an array of essential farm inputs.
These inputs include cassava cuttings, rice seeds, tomato seeds, maize seeds, herbicides, and fertilizers, among others.
This initiative comes in line with the commitment of the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to alleviate the challenges faced by farmers in all 33 local governments affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the OYO-Cares program in collaboration with the World Bank, facilitated by the Oyo State Agribusiness Agency (OYSADA).
Speaking to journalists at the Iseyin Local Government Secretariat on Wednesday, Mr. Kolawole Adewumi Bamigbola, the state coordinator for Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-Cares) Result Area 2, highlighted that a total of 260 farmers in the three covered local governments benefited from the distribution exercise. These farmers include those engaged in cassava, rice, maize, and tomato farming.
Mr. Kolawole provided a breakdown of the distribution, revealing that in Iseyin Local Government, out of the 80 beneficiaries, 30 were rice farmers and 50 were tomato farmers.
Rice farmers received 10kg of rice seeds, along with emergence and post-emergence herbicides. In Kajola Local Government, the beneficiaries numbered 180, consisting of 70 cassava farmers and 10 rice farmers.
The distribution included cassava cuttings, NPK fertilizer, and herbicides for cassava farmers, while rice farmers received rice seeds and various herbicides along with NPK fertilizer.
The distribution in Iwajowa Local Government saw 100 farmers receiving inputs. This group consisted of 30 maize farmers and 70 cassava farmers.
Each maize farmer received 10kg of maize seeds, NPK fertilizer, and pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides. Cassava farmers received bundles of cassava cuttings, NPK fertilizer, and herbicide.
Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the support provided. Alhaja Adediran Mutiat, a tomato farmer from Iseyin, lauded Governor Makinde’s commitment to fulfilling promises made to farmers.
Another beneficiary, Mallam Bello Muhammed, a rice farmer and chairman of the Hausa community in Kajola, expressed appreciation for the valuable support received, emphasizing its significance in boosting food production.
Leaders from the local governments, including the Executive Chairman of Iseyin Local Government and the Acting Chairman of Kajola Local Government, commended Governor Makinde for his unwavering support to the farming community.
They encouraged the beneficiaries to optimize the provided inputs to contribute to the state government’s efforts to ensure food security across the region.
The distribution of these agricultural inputs not only provides practical assistance to farmers but also underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between governments and communities to strengthen the agricultural sector and secure the nation’s food supply.
