As part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening agriculture and agribusiness in Oyo State, the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), under the leadership of its Director General, Dr. Debo Akande, spearheaded the 5th phase of the NG-CARES farm input distribution in Akinyele Local Government Area.
The event saw a total of 120 farmers benefit from the distribution, with 20 farmers receiving maize inputs and 100 others provided with cassava inputs, which included improved cassava stems, a bag of NPK fertilizer, and two bundles of herbicides each.
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Olusola Popoola provided context to the NG-CARES programme, noting that it was launched in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a strategy to cushion its economic impact on vulnerable farmers. He acknowledged the pivotal role played by Governor Seyi Makinde and Dr. Debo Akande in restructuring the agricultural landscape of the state, citing major milestones such as the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub, the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Ijaiye—located within Akinyele Local Government—the training of over 3,300 youths in agribusiness, and the construction of several rural roads across the state. He emphasized that, since inception, NG-CARES has provided consistent support to farmers with inputs for cassava, maize, tomato, and soya bean cultivation. He warned the farmers against selling the inputs, urging them to put them to good use to boost productivity.
The Executive Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Hon. Akinwole Ayobami Akinleye, expressed his appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and Dr. Debo Akande for their unwavering commitment to agricultural development. He praised Dr. Akande as the brain behind the success of the agribusiness revolution in Oyo State and urged farmers to maximize the opportunity by utilizing the inputs appropriately. According to him, Oyo State under Governor Makinde has become a model for agricultural innovation and rural transformation in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Dr. Debo Akande delivered warm greetings from the Governor and reaffirmed the state government’s intention to make Akinyele a major economic zone through the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone at Ijaiye. He disclosed that construction would soon begin and urged the farmers not to sell their inputs but to channel them into enhancing food production and economic resilience. He noted that NG-CARES and other programmes by OYSADA are designed to uplift farmers and young agripreneurs across the state.
Also present at the event was Mr. Oyekan, who took the farmers through a practical session on effective cassava and maize farming techniques, emphasizing strategies to increase yield and profitability.
In their testimonials, some of the beneficiaries expressed heartfelt gratitude to the state government. Mr. Osunkunle Abass applauded the provision of quality inputs, loan opportunities, and the ongoing tractorization subsidy. He called on the government to do more in securing farmlands and protecting farmers from herder-related invasions, while also urging for the allocation of more accessible farmland. Similarly, Miss Adekunle Temitayo, a beneficiary of the Youth Empowerment in Agribusiness Programme (YEAP), appreciated the efforts of Governor Makinde and Dr. Akande, especially in youth empowerment. She appealed to the government to take decisive action against the increasing conversion of agricultural lands into housing estates.
The facilitator of the programme, Mr. Alabi Opeyemi, confirmed that 120 farmers benefited from the 5th phase of the intervention. He provided a breakdown showing that 20 received maize inputs while 100 received cassava inputs. In his vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Farmer Community Association (FCA), Mr. Oladeji Ezekiel O., expressed appreciation to the state government and advised the farmers to use the inputs for farming purposes only and not for resale.
The event was graced by several dignitaries, including the Executive Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Hon. Akinwole Ayobami Akinleye; the Vice Chairman, Hon. Sakiru Akintunde; the Head of Local Government Administration, Mrs. Olaronke Sarah Ige; H.R.H. Oba Lasisi Oladimeji Akano, the Onijaiye of Ijaiye; Baale Daramola Bayonle, the Oniware of Iware; Baale Sulaiman Aransi Ipaye; Baale Alasa; Chief Tajudeen Inaolaji Ajadi, the Baale of Agede; as well as other political appointees, agricultural officers, OYSADA officials, community stakeholders, and youth representatives.
Follow us now for more news in Oyo State. Oyo Truth is an independent online news /medium reporting up-to-date events, happenings and activities related to Oyo State, Nigeria.
Leave a Reply