Just one of 30 tractors bought by Akeredolu available – Govt

The Ondo State Government has disclosed that out of the 30 tractors purchased by the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for farming activities, only one is left after the machines were sold to individuals outside the states at subsidised rates.

According to the Commissioner for Agriculture, Olayato Aribo, many of the private individuals who bought the tractors were yet to pay for them.

Aribo, who said the only tractor in the state was not functional, disclosed that the state government had employed the services of a private firm to clear farmlands for mass production of food to tackle food insecurity in the state.

Speaking during a press conference at the NUJ secretariat in Akure, the state capital, the commissioner, said the forests along dams and water bodies were already identified and would be cleared and prepared for cultivation of grains and vegetables.

He explained that the state government has trained several youths, women, and farmers on modern farming, and the cleared land would be allotted to them to grow rice, maize, and vegetables.

Aribo disclosed that among the plans of the government is to create cluster farming where several farmers would be farming in the same axis and that the Lagos State government has agreed to be the off-taker of the farm produce to avoid wastage.

According to him, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has declared an end to food insecurity in the state, adding that several farm inputs have been distributed to farmers and the distribution of fertilisers of different types is ongoing.

He said, “As of today, we have one functional tractor working in the ministry. Unlike in the North, where we have savanna, here tractors cannot enter the forest. We need bulldozers to clear the forest. We intend to do a thorough job.

“We need bulldozers to remove all the trees and stumps. That is why we need an equipment hiring company. We have discussed and agreed. Every farmer knows the cost of factorisation per hectare. We promised a 25 percent discount.

“I am not aware of any tractor parked in Government House. During the administration of Governor Akeredolu, we bought 30 tractors. These tractors were sold to companies and individuals at a subsidised rate. Most of those tractors are outside this state.

“These tractors are not owned by the government. Some people bought. Some are paying gradually. It is only one owned by the state. We will buy tractors, but it is better we start immediately by getting this company to start clearing land for us. We are in a hurry to produce food.”

Aribo added that extension officers have been trained and 4563 farmers empowered by the Aiyedatiwa administration.