Osun Moves To Boost Food Production, Commits N10bn To Agriculture

The Osun State Government has committed the whopping sum of N8 billion for the acquisition of tractors and farm-clearing equipment within the context of due process, alongside another N2 billion worth of farm input support.

Governor Ademola Adeleke made the disclosure on Friday , at the tractor unveiling and farm input distribution ceremony held at the Agricultural Input Supply Unit (AISU) in Ede on Friday.

“I unveil these farm inputs with the hope that they will serve as a humble beginning for the agro-industrial development of the State, in line with the 5-Point Action Plan of this Administration.”

“We immediately hit the ground running towards the achievement of these priorities, and in less than two years into the first tenure of this Administration, we have made conscious efforts aimed at achieving these policy objectives. The 5-Point Action Plan is arranged in a methodical manner, such that they complement each other.”

“By reflating the economy of the State through the prompt payment of monthly salaries and pensions, increasing the funds available for the payment of gratuities, including those on the contributory pension scheme, and then the payment of the backlog of half salaries, which had negatively impacted the workers and the people of the State.”

He stated that the state government is also ensuring financial inclusion and localization by insisting on local contractors and patronage of local suppliers in the execution of the capital projects by this Administration.

“We have constructed over 100 kilometres of roads alongside several bridges and channelization projects. Another 80 kilometres are under construction.

“These multi-billion naira projects include four flyover bridges, channelization of several major roads, and rehabilitation of several schools and health centres, with various levels of completion. All these were done to create an enabling environment for the social sector upliftment and agro-industrialisation of the State.”

He also mentioned that his administration, in the last two years, has effectively touched every aspect of the 5-Point Action Plan set out to achieve at the inception of his administration.

“We are distributing 6,000 herbicides, 80,000 cashew seedlings, 8,000 cassava cuttings, 8,000 various vegetable seeds, and 500 bags of lime to our farmers, women’s associations, people living with disabilities, and government schools with large farmlands.

“We are equally unveiling 31 newly purchased tractors with full implements for the use of our farmers in Osun State, which is the first phase of this project.

“These tractors will be released to farmers’ cooperative societies and associations after all necessary administrative procedures have been concluded.

“This is also in line with the promise made to our resourceful youthful population during the last End Bad Governance protest. We hope to provide all necessary infrastructure and resources to enhance agricultural production and ensure food security for our people.”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Otunba Tola Faseru, said the rate of food insecurity in the country is worrisome.

He added that the problem could be traced to neglect in food production, youths’ lackadaisical attitudes towards farming, poverty, environmental degradation, ongoing conflict, and climate change.

“These factors lead to worse health outcomes and multi-dimensional poverty. Farming all over the globe has become a business, as it is a profitable venture as well as a veritable means of empowerment.”

He said the State is predominantly an agrarian society, abundantly endowed with fertile land, supportive weather, and human resources to leverage agriculture for attaining food security.

“The sector provides food for the citizens, raw materials for the agro-allied industries, and employment for the majority of our economically active population who are engaged (directly or indirectly) in agro-business practices.”

The Commissioner, however, commended the Governor for prioritising agriculture in the State.