.Gives fish feeds to 1,000 farmers
The Oyo State Government has begun the second phase of inputs distribution to farmers as part of its Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative, to cushion the effect of economic hardship on the residents.
The government, at an event organised by the SAfER Committee through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, kicked off the programme, with the distribution of 3,000 bags of 15kg fish feeds to 1,000 fish farmers across the state.
The government had flagged off the first phase of the exercise with the distribution of inputs to poultry farmers with about 24,000 bags of 50kg maize already distributed to date.
Flagging off the second phase at the open space of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, the chairman of the SAfER Committee and Chief of Staff to the governor, Segun Ogunwuyi, lauded Governor ‘Seyi Makinde for coming up with the well-thought-out initiative.
Ogunwuyi, represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Musibau Babatunde, disclosed that distribution the inputs is meant to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy on farmers and also to contribute towards food security in the state.
He added that the government’s intervention during the first phase had a great economic impact, as it brought down the prices of poultry products in the state.
Ogunwuyi explained that the state used to be the highest producer of catfish in Nigeria, but lost its position due to challenges of high cost of fish feeds, COVID-19 pandemic and the re-designing of currencies, saying the distribution of feeds is aimed at supporting fish farmers to go back to the farm for massive production of fish for the state.
He said: “Oyo State is non-coastal, landlocked and blessed with some major rivers and tributaries with a total surface area of 10,250.18 hectares.”
Speaking about the government’s determination to return the state to its leadership position in fish production, he said, “Unfortunately, fish production in the state reduced due to the aforementioned unfortunate circumstances.
“The state government is very conscious of prevailing economic situations in the country and that informed the decision to intervene and enlist the fisheries sub-sector to the beneficiaries of palliatives initiative by the government through the distribution of fish feeds to every enlisted fish farmer.
“This intervention is aimed at supporting fish farmers and encouraging you to go back to farm to bring back the glory of the state in terms of massive fish production.”
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs Christianah Abioye, commended the state government for being compassionate to the farmers, especially during the hard time in the country.
She, therefore, enjoined the beneficiaries to use the inputs to boost the production of their fish farms so as to remain in business and equally complement the effort of the state government.
In his remarks, the chairman, Catfish and Allied Fish Farmers Association of Nigeria, (CAFFAN), Oyo State Chapter, Mr Adedeji Adenuga, expressed gratitude to the state government, noting that the high cost of fish feeds had forced some farmers out of the business.
