FG, Oyo begin free distribution of fertilizers 

The Oyo State Government in collaboration with the Federal Government, on Tuesday, commenced free distribution of 21,000 bags of assorted fertilizers to over 10,500 farmers in the state.

The event was held at OYSADA Warehouse, Fertilizer Store, Laniya, Ojongbodu area in Oyo town.

While declaring it open, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, described the event as a testament of Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration’s resolve to increase food production and boost the economy of the state.

He said the gesture would improve crop productivity, enhance food security and increase the income of our rural farmers, adding that the state government is committed to boosting agricultural productivity and positioning farmers for sustainable growth and prosperity.

“The administration is aware of the challenges of insecurity and soaring prices of agricultural production inputs faced by farmers in this state, and as a result given approval to the requests by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through Sustainable Action for Economic Reform to procure and distribute various agricultural input at the beginning of this season.

“The inputs include tonnes of maize seed, Soybean seed, Knapsack sprayers, agro-chemicals to build the resilience of farmers against economic shocks,” he said.

Also speaking, the state Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Kakulu Omonele, represented by an officer in the ministry, Bilkis Abdulateef, said

the Central Bank of Nigeria donated about 100,000metric tonnes (2,000,000 bags) of assorted fertilizer to the Federal Government as its support to cushion the current economic effect on food production to enhance food security in Nigeria.

“President Bola Tinubu had directed the CBN to handover the assorted brands of fertilizers to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for onward allocation and distribution to all states and FCT for further distribution to farmers in their various states,” she said.

She commended the efforts of the state government for evacuating its consignment within the specified period, and urged the beneficiaries to utilise the fertilizers for the intended purpose

Meanwhile, about 250 farmers from Akinyele Local Government Area of the state received two bags of fertilizers each to boost their agricultural businesses.