Real time smallholder farmers in the Ibarapa geopolitical zone of the state were thrown into ecstasy yesterday as Oyo state government under its Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) commenced 4th phase distribution of farm inputs to boost food production and security.
This was as the Executive Chairman, Ibarapa East local government, Hon Gbenga Obalowo and other agricultural stakeholders commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his timely intervention and efforts in ensuring food security in the state.
The smallholder farmers in the zone also described as genuine farmers expressed their joy while receiving the farm inputs at Ibarapa East Local Government Secretariat, Eruwa on Wednesday.
The farm inputs distributed for farmers in Eruwa and other parts of Ibarapa zone include knapsack sprayers, maize seeds, cassava stems, herbicides, fertilizer among others.
The farm input distribution exercise was carried out simultaneously in Eruwa, Igangan, Igboora, and Ayete town.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the distribution of the items, the commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye stated that the farm inputs items such as cassava stems, hybrid maize seeds, herbicides and knapsack sprayers were distributed to arable farmers in the state as part of the ongoing efforts of the state government in ensuring food security across all the geopolitical zones.
He noted however, that the fourth phase of the distribution of SAfER food sector will cover no fewer than 2,537 arable farmers across the state.
Olaleye also hinted that the 5th phase of the SAfER scheme food sector will includes free vaccination for cattles, distribution of feeds to goat and sheep farmers, subsidy on the use of tractors for farmers in the next few weeks.
He said, “Today we’ve commenced the fourth phase of sustainable recovery food security sub sector, as we know that the SAfER program have different sectors, we have the food palliatives that have been distributed, we have the one on transportation, we have the one on health, and this one is on food security, but this one is distribution of inputs to arable farmers.”
“The items distributed here are special maize seeds that can germinate with resilient, we are also giving out knapsack sprayers for farmers across Oyo state, and in addition to that, we are also giving them herbicides to protect their crops against invasion of insects, this fourth phase not less than 2,537 farmers will benefit from it.”
“You will recall that before now there have been three phases of the food security sub sector, we’ve given out free maize to poultry farmers, we’ve given out free feeds to fish farmers, we are still distributing PKC and disinfectants to pig farmers and this one is the fourth phase, by next week free vaccination of cattle and distribution of feeds to sheep and goat farmers will also commence across Oyo state.”
“In the next ten days subsidy on use of tractor will commence, that means if you cultivate five acres of land, government will subsidy two and half acres for you free of charge, if you cultivate ten acres, government will cultivate five acres for you free of charge, if you could recollect, the governor has distributed through different finance houses the sum of N1billion loans to farmers and more than 3,000 farmers have benefited from that.”
“So, the whole essence is to ensure we have abundant food in Oyo State and to also see that there is reduction in prices of good stuffs.” Olaleye said.
In their separate remarks, some of the beneficiaries who spoke on behalf of the farmers, Mr Rafiu Saheed, the secretary of All Farmer’s Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Ibarapa East Local Government; Mr Oyeleke Kayode, a farmer with farmland in Abuke Oba, who specializes in Maize, Cassava and Tomatoes farming in Ibarapa East Local Government,the representative of the executive chairman of the local government, Hon Adebisi Kehinde, the Supervisory Council for Land and Survey laud governor Makinde for the timely intervention and also the distribution of the farm inputs.
They revealed that the materials would have a significant effect on their farming activities, they also urged other beneficiaries to make good use of their far inputs.