Food security: FG, Ogun govt distribute farm inputs to farmers

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The Federal Government and the Ogun State Government, on Wednesday, distributed farm inputs to farmers, as part of effort to address food security challenge.

The State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Toyin Ayo- Ajayi, during the flag off ceremony of Inputs Redemption Under The National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS- AP), in Ogun State, disclosed that beneficiaries of the gesture were primarily rice, maize and cassava farmers across the state.

Ayo- Ajayi commended the Ogun State Government for partnering with the government at the centre for the effort in supporting farmers with inputs that would bring about yieldings for local consumption and likely exportation.

She noted that government is supporting rice, cassava and maize farmers with inputs worth N212,000; N189,000 and N186,000 respectively.

The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, who represented the Commissioner in the Ministry, Bolu Owotomo, stated that traditional farmers are critical in food production, hence the need to encourage and support them with inputs that would bring about desired results during harvesting.

The Commissioner urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the scheme by making maximal use of the inputs to better their production, informing that a strict monitoring and oversight system had been put in place at redemption centres to ensure proper usage of the inputs and achieve the objective of food security in the country.

Owotomo said, “Let us make good use of this opportunity, so that the success of this phase will make farmers benefit more from the state and federal governments of Nigeria.”

Earlier, State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ayo-Ajayi, appreciated the present administration for partnering with the federal government for the initiative, adding that the programme was to support farmers at the grassroots level in cassava, rice and maize with inputs such as, seeds, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, to boost their production and enhance their livelihood.

Ayo-Ajayi explained further that government would support each rice farmer with inputs worth N212,000; cassava

Also speaking, state focal person, Olufemi Akiniyi, described the initiative of the federal government as apt, enjoining beneficiaries to make good use of the inputs distributed for the purpose it was meant for, to avail them better opportunities.

Responding on behalf of other farmers, Chairman, Ogoloko Ayiwere Rice Farmers Association, Mr. Ismaila Akerele and Secretary, Agbelere Isiun Maize Farmers, Mr. Yusuf Ashimiu, commended both the federal and state governments for the support enjoyed by farmers at all times, promising to judiciously use the inputs to attain food sufficiency in the nation.

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