Oyo govt harps on massive food production in 33 LGAs

The Oyo State Government has emphasised the need for massive food production across the 33 local government areas with the approach of the 2025 planting season.

To achieve this goal, the government has commenced the distribution of motorcycles to Agricultural Extension Officers across the 33 LGAs.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, stated that the presentation of motorcycles demonstrates the government’s commitment to boosting agricultural extension services in the state.

According to him, extension officers play a critical role in disseminating innovations and technologies to small and medium-scale farmers, thereby enhancing productivity, improving farmers’ standard of living, and ensuring food security in the state.

He explained that the Governor Seyi Makinde administration is focused on addressing some of the pressing challenges facing agricultural extension services, including systemic decline caused by several key factors.

He said:

“I am highly delighted to welcome you to the distribution of BAJAJ motorcycles to Officers/Extension Agents in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“Agricultural Extension Officers (Agents) serve as the link between researchers and farmers. They play a critical role in the dissemination of innovations and technologies to smallholder farmers, which will, in turn, increase their productivity, improve their standard of living, and ensure food security in the state.

“Therefore, the Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, approved the purchase of BAJAJ motorcycles for Agricultural Extension Agents in the state to enhance agricultural extension service delivery.

“You will all agree with me that one of the most pressing challenges facing Agricultural Extension Officers is systemic decline, driven by several key factors, including a critical shortage of extension agents due to retirements without adequate replacements.

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“Other factors include young people’s reluctance to pursue careers in agriculture and entrepreneurship, insufficient training and professional development for extension agents, and a lack of proper transportation resources, which makes it difficult for them to reach and serve farmers in remote villages.

“To address these challenges, the present administration has embarked on various programs, projects, and manpower provisions, including today’s distribution of BAJAJ motorcycles.

“Other interventions include the Start Them Early Programme (STEP) to encourage agricultural interest among secondary school students, which is being replicated across eight zones of Oyo State. The government recently concluded the recruitment of 161 officers across different cadres in the Ministry.

“Last year, we also trained 131 Extension Agents across the 33 LGAs and LCDAs on the use of digital applications to measure farmland under the 50 percent tractorization subsidy program of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER).

“In addition, under the 50 percent tractorization subsidy program of SAfER, 1,487 farmers benefited, and a total of 6,009.4083 acres of land was plowed across the state.

“On this note, I have the singular honor and privilege to implore the beneficiaries to maximize this opportunity to bridge the gap between researchers and farmers, boost food production, improve livelihoods, and promote sustainable agricultural service delivery.”

Earlier, in her address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Abosede Owoeye, noted that the distribution of motorcycles to Agricultural Extension Officers across the state would serve as a transformative tool, enabling them to access remote farming communities more efficiently, respond promptly to farmers’ needs, and deliver timely agricultural advisory services.

She appreciated the dedication and steadfastness of the Extension Officers in the state for their contributions and achievements in the 50 percent tractorization program of the state government under the SAfER initiative in 2024.

She urged them to ensure improved agricultural extension service delivery in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the Agricultural Extension Officers, Mr. Akanbi Ademola thanked Governor Makinde for his efforts in improving the agriculture sector and promised to complement the state government’s initiatives to ensure food security in the state.