OYO-CARES Commences Distribution Of Farm Inputs To Farmers

•As beneficiaries in Ido, Oyo East/West, Afijio, Atiba Receive Goats, Cassava Cuttings, Herbicides, Maize Seeds, Others

In an effort to further enhance food production in Oyo State, the Oyo Community Action Resilience And Economic Stimulus (OYO- CARES) on Thursday, commenced the fourth phase distribution of agricultural farm inputs to genuine farmers across the state

The exercise aims at distribution of agricultural inputs and provision of capacity building and extension services to 3,660 beneficiaries in 26 local government areas of Oyo state under the Nigeria Community Action Resilience And Economic Stimulus (N-CARES).

In Ido Local Government Area Secretariat, venue of the distribution exercise, 300 crop and livestock farmers received NPK fertilisers, maize and tomato seeds, herbicide chemicals, and goats.

The State Project Coordinator, Result Area 2 for N- CARES, Mr Bamigblola Kolawole disclosed that the beneficiaries,which includes beneficiaries of the Youth Entrepreneur Agro-preneur Programme (YEAP),comprises farmers from three Farmers Community Associations( FCA ) namely, Agbesowapo, Agbedotun and Agbedola FCAs

According to him, the 300 beneficiaries grouped into 10 farmers each, consist of 140 livestock farmers,140 cassava and maize farmers and 20 tomato farmers.

He explained further that the crop farmers were being supported with 50kg NPK fertilizers,agro-chemicals,maize and tomato seeds, while livestock farmers are being assisted with goats.

“This is the major support we are given to them and the essence of this is to assist these farmers to increase food production in the state and this is not the first time we are doing such in Ido Local Government”, he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Ido Local Government, Sheriff Adeojo appreciated the state governor Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde for the initiative which he said has greatly supported farmers in the council to enhance agricultural activities in the area.

He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs and for the intended purposes assuring that the state government will continue to support farmers to boost food production in the state and the county at large.

A maize and cassava farmer, Ishola Olajumoke and a beneficiary of the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme, Ridwane Akinade appreciated the support to farmers which they said ,came at the right time assuring that the inputs will be used judiciously.

Also in Afijio Local Government, Jobele, no fewer than 170 beneficiaries comprising Agbedun FCA with seven Cassava group (70 beneficiaries) as each received 15 bundles of Cassava cuttings, 50 kg of NPK fertilizer and one liter of herbicide chemical, also in Afijio LGA, Agbesanwa FCA comprises of seven livestock farmer group (70 beneficiaries), each of the seventy beneficiaries received two goats, while three maize groups, (30 beneficiaries) received 10kg bag of maize seeds, 50 kg of fertilizer, and one liter of herbicide chemical.

In his reaction, the Executive Chairman of Afijio Local Government, Hon Emmanuel Olufemi Aikomo, who was on ground to witness the distribution exercise lauded Engr ‘Seyi Makinde for the support. He equally urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the inputs given to them in order to complement the efforts of the state government on food sufficiency in the state.

Similarly, in Oyo West, where we have Agbeparapodola FCA which comprises of five livestock farmers groups, all the 50 beneficiaries in the group received two goats each, while the five Cassava Farmers Group of 50 beneficiaries received 20 bundles of Cassava cuttings. Also in Oyo West we have Agbegbayi FCA and under that group we have three cassava farmers groups, 2 maize groups and 5 livestock farmers groups. The 200 beneficiaries of livestock farmers group under Ifelagba FCA received two goats each making 400 goats in total.

In Oyo East Local Government, under Agbeloba FCA which comprises of five Cassava Farmers Groups, five Livestock Farmers Groups received their farm inputs.

The beneficiaries in Atiba Local Government under the Agbegbewa FCA where we have seven Maize Farmer’s Groups, three livestock groups received their inputs accordingly, we also have Agbedola FCA that comprises of 10 livestock groups.