Food Security: Senator Yayi Empowers 2,557 Ogun Farmers With Tractors, Seedlings, Fertilisers, N255.7m Start-Up Grants
The Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, on Tuesday empowered 2,557 farmers across Ogun State with tractors, farm equipment, improved seedlings, fertilisers and a total of N255.7 million in cash grants to boost food production and strengthen food security.
The empowerment, held at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion in Ilaro, formed part of the second edition of the lawmaker’s farmers’ support programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda on Agriculture and Food Security.
Addressing beneficiaries, Adeola described farmers as indispensable to Nigeria’s development, stressing that food security remains the bedrock of national growth and economic stability.
He explained that the intervention was designed to address major challenges confronting farmers, including low productivity, inadequate access to modern farming techniques, expensive farm implements and limited access to finance.
According to him, the 2,557 beneficiaries, drawn from over 100 farmer clusters, had undergone training in modern agricultural practices in collaboration with institutions including the Federal Cooperative College, Eleyele, Ibadan; National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan; Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Lagos; Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Enugu; and the Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri.
The senator disclosed that the beneficiaries received 10 tractors with full attachments, 250 haulage tricycles, 1,500 knapsack sprayers, 8,000 bags of NPK and urea fertilisers, 1,000 solar and gasoline water pumps, 1,000 seed planters, 17 power tillers, 25 varieties of improved seeds and seedlings, 100 organic liquid fertilisers, 1,500 agricultural enzymes, 2,000 pesticides, as well as hoes, cutlasses and shovels.
In addition to the farm inputs, each of the 2,557 farmers received a N100,000 start-up grant, amounting to N255.7 million, to enable them concentrate on farming without selling the equipment provided.
Adeola urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items, warning against diverting or selling the inputs.
“The expectation is not for them to misuse or sell the various inputs given to them or fritter away the cash grant but to assist them in substantially increasing their production and incomes,” he said.
He noted that the programme was aimed at enabling farmers to cultivate throughout the year under the Federal Government’s target of achieving three farming seasons annually through expanded irrigation and mechanised agriculture.
The senator expressed satisfaction with the impact of the maiden edition of the programme, revealing that several beneficiaries had returned with farm produce to demonstrate how the intervention improved their productivity.
He added that a central management team comprising experienced farmers and cluster leaders would oversee the operation and maintenance of the tractors and other shared mechanised equipment to ensure sustainability.
Adeola also reaffirmed his commitment to complementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu through interventions in agriculture, infrastructure, education, healthcare and security.
While commending Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for supporting farmers through the provision of improved seeds, fertilisers, farm infrastructure and the establishment of the Ogun State Farmers Information System, the senator expressed confidence that sustained investments in agriculture would position Ogun as a leading food-producing state and a major exporter of agro-allied products.
He congratulated the beneficiaries and charged them to maximise the opportunities provided to increase food production, reduce poverty and contribute to Nigeria’s economic diversification and national development.
