By Faridat Salifu
The Oyo State Government says its sustained investment in agriculture has begun yielding tangible results, leading to lower food prices and improved productivity among farmers across the state.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, made this known in Ibadan while receiving the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, who paid him a courtesy visit on his birthday.
Olaleye said that under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, agricultural output had risen sharply over the past three years due to deliberate interventions in mechanised farming, seed improvement, and fertiliser distribution.
“Cassava, which sold for about N600,000 per truck three years ago, now sells for less than N150,000 because of the state’s massive agricultural investment,” he said.
He explained that the administration’s key programmes including a tractorisation scheme, input support, and farmer training had reduced production costs and boosted yields.
Under the tractorisation initiative, the government covers half the cost of land ploughing for farmers.
“If a farmer intends to plough 20 acres, the government pays for 10. Those who could only manage 10 acres before are now cultivating 20. The result has been an increase in food production across the state,” he added.
According to him, over 7,000 farmers benefited from this year’s mechanised farming scheme, which covered more than 21,000 acres of farmland — a significant increase from 6,000 acres cultivated last year.
He also noted that 12,000 bags of fertiliser had been distributed free to 6,000 farmers, depending on farm size.
The commissioner revealed that about 4,800 farmers had been trained between November and April on improved agricultural practices such as proper seed timing, fertiliser application, and pest control.
He said the capacity-building efforts had enhanced efficiency and yields, particularly in cassava, maize, and rice production.
Beyond crops, Oyo State has also recorded progress in livestock farming. Olaleye disclosed that over 120,000 cattle and 89,000 sheep and goats were vaccinated under the government’s free animal health programme.
“We recorded a significant drop in livestock mortality this year, and our farmers are happy,” he said.
The state, he added, had exported more than 20,000 tonnes of cassava j the Ibarapa axis, reflecting the government’s growing focus on agricultural export and value addition.
Olaleye linked the recent initiatives to the state’s broader Social and Economic Recovery Programme designed to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal on citizens.
“Our interventions, particularly in tractorisation and input support, were implemented in response to the rising cost of transportation and food items,” he said.
The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining its agricultural transformation agenda, stressing that Oyo aims to become a leading food-producing hub in Nigeria.
Under Governor Makinde’s leadership, agriculture has emerged as a central pillar of Oyo State’s economic growth strategy, with emphasis on mechanisation, input access, youth empowerment, and private-sector partnerships.
The push aligns with the Federal Government’s broader efforts to stabilise food prices and reduce inflation, which stood at 16.87 percent in September 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Experts say Oyo’s approach combining mechanisation, training, and targeted subsidies could serve as a model for other states seeking to strengthen food security and shield citizens from the rising cost of living.
