Osun State Government, yesterday, said that it had successfully engaged over 50 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) since the introduction of its food support scheme one year ago.

The state government noted that the impact of the scheme had been very holistic and greatly felt by different sectors of the state’s economy.

This is even as the state government marked the one-year anniversary of the scheme with the flag-off of the 12th edition, which held at the open space of the Local Government Service Commission, State Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo.

According to the government, the initiative has helped to feed 360,000 vulnerable residents with the multiplier effects on over one million people constituting various households that had benefited since the inception of the programme last year.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, who spoke at the flag-off ceremony of the programme, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Wole Oyebamiji, said the scheme had helped to stimulate the economy of the state through promotion of local production, encouragement of local entrepreneurs and by extension, alleviation of poverty and hunger.

Oyetola, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Wole Oyebamiji, said the government was fulfilled in the execution of the programme as promised on monthly basis, saying its sustenance had in no measure contributed to the growth of the local economy.