Ondo kicks off farmers’ registration, sets up tractor units

Oyo State Government has reiterated its support for agricultural exporting farmers as part of efforts to boost food production in the state. Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, said this while hosting the Agricultural Exporting Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society and Credit Investments (CICS) Ltd in his office.

Oyelade, who lauded members of the association for their resilience and dedication to enhancing the export of agricultural products, despite the challenges posed particularly by the new tariff increment imposed by the United States (U.S.) government, noted that the increase presents a burden on a country like Nigeria that is struggling with its economy.

He assured the association of the ministry’s support, especially in promoting locally produced food through the ministry’s platform.
RELATEDLY, Ondo State Government has disclosed that farmers across the 18 local councils of the state will be registered to further enhance food security in the state.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agric and Agric-Business, Wemimo Akinsola, who revealed this, emphasised that the open-ended farmer census would reshape the future of agriculture in state.

Akinsola, while speaking during a media briefing at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Akure, the state capital, noted that the registration is not just a formality, but for the government to have the database of the farmers in the state.

The governor’s aide, who commended the efforts of the farmers in tackling food scarcity in the state, said Aiyedatiwa had declared an executive order on agri-business as part of efforts to reposition the agricultural sector. He emphasised that the exercise is continuous, without a timeframe, and is open to all farmers, irrespective of political affiliation or financial status.

The Administrative Secretary, Ondo State Agric and Agri-business Empowerment Centre (OSAEC), Mr Femi Iwajomo, described the registration as a farmers’ census for accurate data collection and planning.

On his part, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the agency, Ojo Emmanuel, disclosed that the registration portal, www.osaec.org.ng, is secured, assuring farmers that all submitted information would be treated with confidentiality.