The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has opened up on the plans of his administration for the agricultural sector in the state, assuring stakeholders that farm inputs, tractorization and issue of food security are being addressed by his government.
Speaking on Friday evening after a meeting with a Nordic firm interested in setting up a tractor assembly plant in Osun, the state Governor said his plans for the agricultural sector is robust and all inclusive , adding that “the state is now set for implementation of various programmes in the sector.
“We take Agriculture very seriously. Our government decided to first focus on bridging the infra deficit to strengthen connectivity between rural and urban areas. We first focused on building the roads and bridges as a condition to empower the agricultural sector in the area of transportation and market linkages.
“Now that we have made enormous progress in the infra sector, we are now set to roll out specific programmes for the agricultural sector. I have set up an implementation committee on the recommendations of our food security committee.”, Governor Ademola said.
Governor Ademola Adeleke appointed his Special Adviser on Agriculture, Hon. Olaniran Akanfe to be the Chairman of the Food Security Committee. He added mandated Hon. Olaniran Akanfe to put the suggestions and proposals in the food committee report into effect. Other members of the committee include Olusola Omole, Dr Alaba Towoju, Dr Olu Olajide, Hon Moshood Yakub, Hon Alexander Kehinde Oloke, Adelowo Adekunle Saburi, Kolade Tunde (TISKO) and Engr Badmus Bukola Mikail. He also appointed the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture to serve as the Secretary of the Committee while the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Tola Faseru serves as overall Coordinator.
“As we kickstart the implementation of the food security committee, our government is to launch the Osun Young Agropreneurs Incubation Programme which is to target thousands of young farmers and agropreneurs across the agricultural value chain.
“The programme will include at least 1000 hectares of Land per local government; provision of land clearing and tractorization; availability of inputs; guaranteed offtaking; all season irrigation farming; integration of hydroponic farming; integration of precision farming and emphasis on gender balancing and inclusivity.”, Governor Ademola Adeleke stated.
The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, therefore appoint the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Faseru to be the Chairman of the Action committee which will have representatives from ALGON, traditional institutions among others. Other members of the action committee will include Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Land; Surveyor General of the state; Director Agriculture services at the Ministry of Agriculture; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth; President, Osun Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr Adegoke Taiwo Kamal; a representative of farm equipment leasers and Hon Hezekiah Olabamiji Oladele(HOB).
“I have also directed the Commissioner to host a meeting with real farmers on our various farmlands in the state. The Commissioner is to meet genuine farmers to strengthen our partnership as we launch various programmes within the sector.
“I am happy to announce that the federal-state partnership on Fertilizers has yielded positive results. We will as quickly as possible commence the distribution of Fertilizers to our farmers.
“On tractorization, this is another piece of good news. The state has acquired some tractors while the Commissioner has been directed to negotiate a leasing deal with the tractor hiring association. We are also repairing existing tractors.”, the governor said.
He also mentioned plans of the government to promote the plantation farming of the state.
“More importantly, our government is working on reviving the cocoa industry as well as supporting agro processing through public private partnership. We welcome investors and partners in this critical sector”, Mr Governor stated.
Discover more from Oysun News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.