Mimiko Urges Residents To Embark On Backyard Farming

ONDO State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has mandated households to undertake subsistence agriculture through backyard farming, as a way to grow more food and earn extra income.

Speaking with stakeholders in the agricultural sector at the weekend, Mimiko said the current fiscal climate of the nation is a wake-up call for the state government, as well as households to seek alternative sources of revenue.

He said the state has placed emphasis on stimulating the real sector to perform better, adding that government wishes to encourage every household to engage in backyard farming, including animal husbandry.

He noted that willing households would be provided with sensitisation workshops, sundry motivations and incentives.
Meanwhile, Tuns Farms Nigeria Ltd, a leading producer of broiler meat in Nigeria, has reiterated its commitment to sustain its partnership with the Osun Broilers Out-growers Production Scheme (OBOPS).

The agricultural scheme, which was initially established by the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration in December 2011, aims to create jobs and boost food security.

OBOPS is operated on a tripartite basis and spurred a joint venture between the State Government, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Tuns Farms Nigeria Ltd and Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN).

Speaking at an interactive session with poultry farmers, the chairman of Tuns Farms Ltd, Asiwaju Olatunde Badmus, said government’s participation in the meat programme has empowered farmers to leverage on a network of buyers, including fast-food chains and retail outlets.

According to him, “Government partnered with TUNS Farm Nigeria Limited and the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) to jump start and promote broiler production to empower poultry farmers and create jobs under the Osun Broilers Out-growers Production Scheme (OBOPS).”