Ogun empowers farmers with subsidised inputs, training

The Ogun State government has taken steps to support and empower over 30,000 farmers by organising them into clusters, providing subsidised agricultural inputs, and offering continuous training on best farming practices.

These efforts, the state government said, are aimed at boosting the production of crops such as rice, maize, and cassava.

Disclosing this during a visit to the Alubarika 200-hectare rice farm cluster in Magboro, on Sunday, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and supporting farmers through the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System, in partnership with IITA.

He said that currently, 60,000 farmers are registered under this system, with plans to enrol an additional 100,000 before the end of the year.

Owotomo expressed optimism about the expected yield of 1,400 tonnes of rice from the Alubarika farm, underscoring the state’s goal to improve agricultural production. The initiative is part of the broader Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, which seeks to transform the agricultural sector and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Kehinde Jokotoye, and the Project Coordinator for OGSTEP, Mrs. Mosunmola Owo-Odunsi, both encouraged farmers to maximise the benefits of government interventions.

The cluster Secretary, Mr. Salam Adelowo, expressed gratitude for the government’s support but also called for improved social amenities in farming areas to further enhance the farmers’ quality of life.