Agriculture

Adeleke Lauds FG for Agric Sector Reforms

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By Funmi Ojo

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has commended the Federal Government for the reforms currently being embarked on in the agricultural sector with a Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee set up recently, describing it as one well-intended initiative.

Governor Adeleke gave the commendation while receiving the Presidential Livestock Reforms Initiative Committee led by Professor Attahiru Jega in his office at Abere Osun State.

Governor Adeleke expressed the readiness of his administration to support any initiative by the Federal Government that would put more food on the tables of the people of Nigeria.

“To this end, I want to earnestly declare my interest in this FG’s initiative to boost food production and very soon, I will put in place a strong committee of egg heads in the field of Agriculture, to design a good template for Osun on the best way to reform the livestock sector.”

Earlier, the Co-Chairman of the Presidential Livestock Initiative Reforms Committee and former Chairman, of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, said his team was in Osun State to sell the idea of the Committee and its overall objectives, which, if bought into reality, would benefit Osun State.

Professor Jega particularly appealed to Governor Adeleke to set up a Ministry of Livestock in Osun State or an Agency that would see to the realisation of the dream of the Federal Government to make livestock available in large quantities throughout Nigeria. 

While calling for enabling legislation through the State House of Assembly to back the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock, Professor Jega urged Governor Adeleke to engage the services of critical stakeholders in livestock in addition to creating good awareness on the immense importance of reforming the sector for the good of all Nigerians.

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Agriculture

Don Calls for Synergy between Ministries to Curb Food Crisis

By Web News 140 0

By Lanre Omotosho

A lecturer in the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, Ekiti State University, Professor Oluwayemisi Arowosoge has called for synergy between agriculture and water resources ministries to curb the food crisis this year.

Professor Arowosoge who gave the advice in Ado Ekiti while speaking with Radio Nigeria, noted that climate change last year led to low food productivity, hence the need for stakeholders to assist farmers in the area of irrigation.

The university lecturer also called for adequate protection of farmers against the destruction of plantation farms by cattle, kidnappings as well as honeybee pollination of crops.

She advocated adequate farm inputs such as fertilizers, chemicals and improved seeds for the real farmers from the government and warned farmers against diversion of such inputs.

 Professor Arowosoge emphasized the need to add value to perishable crops through processing and storage.

President Bola Tinubu had in December declared that the vision of his administration was to position Nigeria as a leading agricultural export nation by the year 2025.

Represented by the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, at a forum in Abuja, the President stressed that Project “Earn from the Soil” would transform subsistence farming into robust, export-driven economic opportunities, thereby revolutionising the country’s agricultural landscape and ensuring National Food Security.

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Agriculture

We shall engage more youths in agriculture – Oyebanji

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By Kazeem Ayodeji

As part of efforts to address food scarcity and boost local food production, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has announced plans to engage more youths in agriculture. 

Speaking during an inspection of a government warehouse in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive for state governors to prioritize food security as a critical strategy to combat hunger across the nation.

He revealed that his administration has already launched the first phase of the programme which involves young farmers actively participating in crop cultivation and livestock farming across the state. 

Governor Oyebanji disclosed that the government would be purchasing produce directly from the young farmers and also provide them with the necessary tools and resources to cultivate crops and rear livestock.

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Agriculture

Ondo L-PRES Project Engages Stakeholders in Beneficiary Communities

By Web News 138 0

By Dupe Isename

The Ondo State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support, L-PRES Project has conducted stakeholder/community engagement across ten beneficiary communities and local governments in the state, as part of its project implementation plan. 

The communities included Ikare, the headquarters of Akoko North East Local Government; Igbara-Oke, headquarters of Ifedore Local Government; Akungba and Oba Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government; Irele in Irele Local Government; Ondo, in Ondo West Local Government among others.

These communities are set to benefit from at least one of the L-PRES construction projects.

The projects include the construction of slaughterhouses/slabs, the establishment of farmers’ field schools, the construction and installation of boreholes for farmers’ clusters, and the construction of sheep/goat markets.  

The L-PRES Project implementation team, led by the Project Coordinator, Mr. Olufemi Adeogun, was warmly received by traditional and religious leaders, market women, youth, and other stakeholders in the communities.

Mr Adeogun explained that L-PRES is a six-year World Bank intervention in partnership with the Ondo State Government to improve the productivity, resilience, and commercialization of selected livestock value chains, including poultry, pigs, sheep, and goats.

He emphasized that the project also aims to address farmer-herder crises.  

The L-PRES Project Coordinator noted that the visited communities have been included in the 2025 work plan to benefit from one or more of the mentioned projects.

He stressed the importance of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in decision-making and implementation processes.

Mr Adeogun urged the communities to take ownership of the projects and assured them that beneficiary profiling is an ongoing exercise at no cost.  

In response, the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh, represented by some of his chiefs, expressed gratitude to the team for siting some of the projects in his community.

Oba Momoh urged the team to expedite the implementation process and assured them of his support, including providing the most suitable land options.  

At Emure in Owo Local Government, the Elemure of Emure, Oba Simon Adedubaje, welcomed the team to his palace with his chiefs.

Oba Adedubaje appreciated his domain’s inclusion as a beneficiary and assured his total support for successful project implementation.  

Similarly, the Alale of Akungba Akoko, Oba Sunday Adeyeye, and the Regent of Oba Akoko, Princess Adegoroye, along with their respective chiefs, expressed their delight in receiving the team.

They pledged full support and promised to allocate suitable land for the proposed projects.

However, they urged the team to honour their commitment to project implementation.  

In Irele, both HRH Olanrewaju Ayeromora, represented by High Chief Adeolu Aroloye, and the council caretaker chairman, Mr Aliu Olaniran, represented by the Head of Local Government Administration, Mrs. Oluronke Olufunmi, assured the project team of their readiness to allocate suitable land for the project.  

Meanwhile, in Igbara-Oke, the headquarters of Ifedore Local Government, the team engaged with potential direct beneficiaries of the project at the council.

The L-PRES Project implementation team lead explained that only profiled and authentic livestock farmers of poultry, pigs, sheep, and goats would benefit.

Mr Adeogun emphasized a minimum of 30% participation by women and youth, encouraging them to form groups recognized by the project.  

Over six hundred individuals attended the events held across all the visited communities.

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Agriculture

NIHORT Holds Training on Home Gardening

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By Rotimi Famakin

In line with the Federal Government’s Renew Hope Agenda, a day sensitization training on home gardening for neighbouring communities of the National Horticultural Research Institute, NIHORT has been inaugurated at the institute.

The training which drew fifty residents from NIHORT’s neighbouring communities focused on vegetable farming.

 Declaring the workshop opened, the Executive Director, NIHORT, Professor Lawal Atanda said the training became imperative following the intention of the Federal Government to ensure that food sufficiency is achieved in Nigeria.

“The main message is what the president has been saying that he is committed to making all Nigerians to be food sufficient in food and nutritional intake which is passed from our ministry, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and food security through agencies under the ministry of which NIHORT is one of them”.

That is why we are working in tandem with that. That is why we said all Nigerians should know how to cultivate what they are going to eat, and it is in that regard, we are training our neighbours. 

“We have been doing that across geopolitical zones. We now look inward this time around. This is the best time we can do irrigation farming and with this, people will have enabled knowledge and strategies and input to go into it because, after this training, we are going to give them some seed to start their own farming”.

Professor Atanda who urged the participants to make good use of the training said the program will benefit Nigerians saying food would be made sufficient as other neighbours of the selected beneficiaries would disseminate the knowledge to them.

“We are picking one person from each of the quarters that formed the neighbourhood of NIHORT and you should know we have a large neighbourhood. So when they get back home, they will train many people. We have quality seeds developed by our Indigenous scientists here, they will be able to share it among themselves and this will have a ripple effect.”

In her reaction, the director of research at NIHORT, who is also the coordinator of the home gardening training, Dr Olutola Oyedele said the beneficiaries were selected based on interaction with the leadership of NIHORT host communities.

“It is part of the institute’s responsibilities to the neighbours. The programme is going to be on a rolling basis in the sense that we will be taking them in batches since they are our neighbours. So, for the first batch, we are taking fifty. The next set of batches would come next year. This is December, now. We are rounding off. Fifty for a start. So it’s on a rolling basis, 50 per batch.”

“It is a continuous programme and it is one person per household, so to select that, we went into that through the various landlord associations around us, about 18 of them. So they sent us the list of interested participants. So out of that list, we are drawing them in batches. We are training them in vegetable production”.

She said fifty beneficiaries were selected to participate in the training adding that the project would be sustained with another set of fifty beneficiaries already selected for participation next year.

Some of the residents appreciated NIHORT for the gesture describing it as timely.

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Agriculture

Collaboration Vital for Food Security, Oyo Tells MACBAN

By Web News 182 0

By Iyabo Adebisi

The new executive officers of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Oyo State chapter, have been urged to collaborate with the Governor ‘Seyi Makinde-led administration to build peace and ensure food security in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye gave this advice at the inauguration of the new executives of the Miyetti Allah.

Mr Olaleye, while noting that the government’s doors remained open to the executive, said the government needed the cooperation of all stakeholders on direct participation in farming and business.

He urged the cattle breeders to preach peace and harmonious coexistence among their members activities. 

Mr Olaleye, who was represented by the Chief Veterinary Medical Officer, Control Post and Cattle Markets and Deputy Director, Veterinary Services, Dr Adeniran Liadi Mobolaji, lauded Governor Makinde for taking proactive steps to address herders-farmers’ clash in the state.

He added that the administration had also launched several initiatives to boost livestock production in the state, including free vaccination of large animals across the 33 local government areas of the state, free anthrax vaccination, the administration of 250,000 doses of PPR vaccines for sheep and goats, among others.

The commissioner congratulated the new executive members of Oyo MACBAN and reminded them of the state’s government’s digital identity cards for cattle breeders and dealers, stressing the need for their members to get the card to make it easy to identify genuine cattle breeders.

Earlier, the National President of MACBAN, Baba Usman Ngelzarma, lauded Governor Makinde’s tremendous and consistent support to herdsmen in Oyo State.

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Agriculture

IITA Makes Breakthrough on Enhanced Seed Yam Production

By Web News 176 0

By Famakin Rotimi 

Agricultural scientists have developed an improved method of generating seed yam to make planting yams easier and more commercially available.

This new breed of seed yam is known as minituber.

This discovery is a collective effort of a group of seed scientists known as Programme for Seed System Innovation for Vegetatively  Propagated Crops in Africa, PROSSIVA, led by International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA and complemented by other national partners.

As explained by the yam component lead in the project,  Professor Morufat Balogun, the mini tuber when experimented generated high volume of seeds in the nursery and field environment which was ten times what the traditional method would produce using the same land area.

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Professor Morufat Balogun said the traditional mode of yam planting had too numerous impediments in achieving the mass production of yam  

including slow propagation ratio of seed yam resulting in harvest of contaminated tubers with some becoming rotten shortly after harvest.

 “Yes the three objectives have been achieved. They have seen their own milking method and the improved methods. Their milking method is ratio one to two and the improved method is ratio one to one hundred. They have chosen the mini tuber which is “chinchin” mini tuber. So we will pursue the different model”

Professor Balogun advised  government to partner  PROSSIVA for enhanced yam production as a way to achieve food sufficiency.

In their separate presentations, Drs Delphine Amah, PROSSIVA Co-Lead, Dr Beatrice Aighewi, Temi Adegoroye of SAHEL consulting, Djana Mignouna and Lava Kumar who were representative of various yam component specialities in PROSSIVA took turns to address seed yam production including agronomic and quality management including viruses and other diseases affecting yams as well as business aspects and  logistics in the monitoring and delivery of seed yam to target farmers.

Also, the Director of Seed Coordination and Management Services, National Agricultural Seed Council, Mr. Ebiarede Zidafamor, advised farmers to register with  appropriate authorities in order to become seed entrepreneurs.

He also urged them to approach  appropriate seed companies to obtain mother plants  for improved seed production.

“we (NASC) need to know that the materials you are going to use as a producer or even before you become one of us, the seed must be a released variety and it must at least be quality materials that have been accepted as generic and must have undertaken to our seed certification. To be a registered seed entrepreneur the following steps must have been undertaken, you put in an application that you want to be an entrepreneur with the following attachment. The attachment would be the registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, writing in the certificate that says the article of association that says you want to go into seed production, packaging and marketing.

” The next step would be for the council to now review all that you have submitted. So if you have done this, then we issue you the form and the committee to scrutinize your application and if passed you are granted approval to become a seed entrepreneur. Before we give you certificate again too, we come for facility inspection to make sure you are right on ground. Thereafter you are recommended to the body and you are approved”

The Vegetative seed specialist of IITA-GOSeed, Dr Mercy Diebiru-Ojo,  explained that early generation seed yam production pathways could lead to income generation.

“what this project want to do is to make sure we want to have seed companies or seed producers who are producing Vegetation crops so that high quality seeds will get to the farmers. The farmers are within our communities. But this planting materials are perishable, so there is no better way to make the seed available than to have it where it is grown. That is why we talked about decentralized seed entrepreneurs”

Aside farmers from registered associations in some local governments, young farmers’ and agricultural students from the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology at the University of Ibadan participated in the workshop.

The women, who constituted half of the participants, expressed their willingness to engage in seed yam entrepreneurship alongside their male counterparts producing food yams.

 “Today’s programme is a very good one and I really enjoyed it. As a farmer, we need to get the clean seed to plant. It shows that we took can start seed yam entrepreneur”

“This programme is very fantastic and I will follow it immediately the rain starts to fall.”

The new improved seed yam production by PROSSIVA began six months ago with planting of leaf bud cutting identified as vine cutting and mini tuber which were harvested three months and five months after.

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Agriculture

Abiodun Expresses Desire for Partnership with Food Giant

By Web News 158 0

By Bimbola Bamgbose 

The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed the state’s readiness to partner with Brazilian food giant, José Sobrinho, with over seven decades of experience.

Sobrinho is the world’s largest producer of animal protein and the second-largest food company globally. The company specializes in processing beef, pork, lamb, and chicken, as well as producing convenience and value-added foods.

Governor Abiodun announced during a meeting at his Oke-Mosan office in Abeokuta with the Managing Director of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, Aisha Rimi, and Sobrinho officials, including Fabio Maia, Director of International Operations, and Osorio Dal Bello, Head of Poultry and Swine.

He affirmed Ogun State’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for global companies like JBS, adding that the state’s strategic location and infrastructure make it the ideal partner for such ventures. “Sobrinho cannot find a better state in Nigeria to partner with,” Governor Abiodun said, emphasizing that Ogun State offers a dedicated livestock production zone and leads the country in agro-processing development.

The governor highlighted Ogun’s status as one of six agro-processing zones established by the Federal Government and noted that the state slaughters between 10,000 and 15,000 cattle daily to meet the protein demands of neighbouring Lagos State, with many of these cattle sourced locally.

Governor Abiodun also revealed plans for a ten-million-dollar partnership with a Moroccan firm focused on palm oil by-products and announced the imminent launch of a timber processing zone. Additionally, the state recently established its inland port to facilitate manufacturing and accelerate industrial growth.

Speaking during the visit, Fabio Maia lauded Ogun State’s business-friendly environment, citing the rapid industrial growth along the Abeokuta-Sagamu expressway. Maia disclosed JBS’s plans to invest two point five billion dollars in Nigeria, which includes building three chicken processing plants, two cattle plants, and one swine plant.

Aisha Rimi, the NIPC Managing Director, highlighted the visit as a follow-up to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent trip to Brazil, where a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, was signed with Sobrinho to enhance livestock production. She noted that the Sobrinho team is currently conducting feasibility studies and project development plans in Nigeria.

The collaboration underscores Ogun State’s growing reputation as a hub for agro-industrial investment and sets the stage for significant economic growth in the state’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors.

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Agriculture

Oyebanji Unveils Plan to Revitalize Agriculture

By Web News 127 0

By Kazeem Ayodeji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has announced his administration’s plan to establish Renewed Hope farm settlements as part of efforts to revitalize agriculture and ensure food security in the state.

Governor Oyebanji made this known in Ado Ekiti while presenting over one hundred million Naira in cheques to the first batch of young farmers who are participating in the “Bring Back Our Youth to Agriculture” programme, an initiative, which is in collaboration between the state government and a private firm. 

The Governor revealed that the construction of the farm settlements would commence in January next year, with six settlements planned across various farm clusters in the state, adding that the settlements are named “Renewed Hope” as an honour to President Bola Tinubu’s support for agricultural projects in Ekiti.

Addressing the beneficiaries, Governor Oyebanji noted that the cheques represented the returns on their investments in the programme and encouraged the young farmers to reinvest their earnings wisely to achieve greater yields in the coming harvest season. 

In their remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade and the CEO of the private agricultural firm who financed the young farmers, Mrs Oluwayemisi Joluwe, said the government is aiming to be the largest producer of maize, cassava and tomatoes in the country with a call for more youths to participate in the programme. 

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Agriculture

South-West Govs. to Address Food Scarcity

By Web News 113 0

South-West governors have decided to beef up security around farms in the region by forming specialised units within the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun.

The decision was reached at a round table on food security, organised by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN, Commission, on Wednesday, in Ibadan.

It was gathered that the move is to address the acute food scarcity in the zone which was occasioned by pervasive insecurity in most parts of the zone.

Recall that the Southwest Governors’ Forum had directed the Commission to convene the meeting with the responsibility of fashioning out a regional agricultural template.

Though all the six governors were represented by their Commissioners for Agriculture, it was resolved at the meeting that all the resolutions would be meticulously implemented.

The five Commissioners for Agriculture who stood in for their governors include Mr Ebenezer Boluwade (Ekiti), Bolu Owotomo (Ogun), while Olayato Aribo, Babatola Faseru and Olasunkanmi Olaleye represented Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states respectively.

Mr Emmanuel Audu, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture represented the state’s commissioner for Agriculture.

In his opening remarks, the Director General of the Commission, Dr Seye Oyeleye stressed that the insinuations that the region had lost its capacity to produce its food should be discarded calling on the participants “to come up with recommendations that state governors can easily implement” within the next few months.

Other resolutions reached at the meeting include massive land clearing, enhanced security, and large-scale production of short-term crops like maize, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. Other plans include revitalizing moribund dams for irrigation, improving mechanization across the value chain, adopting a cluster farming model, expanding input distribution, and establishing an electronic agriculture database.

Vanguard/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Agriculture

It is imperative that women engage in farming – POWA

By Web News 188 0

By Mojisola Oladele

The Wife of the Inspector General of Police and President of Police Officers’ Wives Association, POWA President, Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun wants women to engage in agriculture in other to address food security in the country.

Mrs. Egbetokun made the call during an event held at the Police headquarters, Osun State.

She stressed the need for all women to utilize their resources and skills to engage in farming to contribute to a more food-secure future for Nigeria.

Mrs. Egbetokun lauded the leadership style of the State Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Muhammed in ensuring the safety and security of Osun State.

She reiterated that POWA would continue to support to their spouses as they uphold the law and protect the communities.

The Wife of the IGP described the association as a vital network of support, fostering unity, resilience, and empowerment among police families nationwide.

“Am encouraging women to venture into farming through ”Young Women in Agriculture under the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), to promote food security in our country,” Mrs. Egbetokun said

“It’s with great pleasure that I am here before you today as the National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), representing the dedicated spouses of our nation’s law enforcement officers,” Mrs Egbetokun submitted

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Agriculture

Cocoa: Adeleke Woos Chinese Investors

By Web News 169 0

By Funmi Ojo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has reiterated his commitment to reviving cocoa industries with a target to be the first among cocoa producing state in Nigeria.

The Governor, who stated this at a meeting with a Chinese team of investors from Wuxi Huadong Cocoa Food Co. Limited, were on a two-day working visit to the state, said his agenda extends to developing partnership with agro industrial firms, from far and near.

Governor Adeleke pointed out that his administration launched the cocoa revival initiative in January this year, covering revival of old cocoa plantations, planting of at least, a million seedlings and development of processing factories for new cocoa products.

“Our government is particularly focused on reviving the state’s Cocoa Industries limited. We seek to go beyond becoming the first Cocoa producing State in Nigeria. We target producing and exporting Cocoa products. That explains why we are determined to revive our Cocoa Industry and even establish new factories“.

The Governor, while describing the presence of the Chinese team as a welcome development, said, his government was open to a Memorandum of Understanding for the revival of the industry located at Ede, Osun State.

He directed the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry as well as the Attorney General of the State to work out a partnership deal.

The Managing Director, Wuxi Huadong Cocoa Food Co. Limited, Mr. Yan Weiqing, who expressed satisfaction after site inspection of the moribund Cocoa industry at Ede, promised to rebuild the Cocoa Processing facility and bring in new equipment for the progress of Mr. Governor’s industrialization agenda.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Reverend Bunmi Jenyo had stated that the company is expected to generate direct and indirect jobs for the citizens, revenue for the state and good returns on investments for prospective investors.

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Agriculture

POWA Seeks Collaboration for Women in Agriculture

By Web News 164 0

By Olawale Asake

Wife of the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and the President, Police Officers Wives’ Association, POWA, Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun has called for stakeholders collaboration to empower Young Women in Agriculture to further solve the issue of food insecurity in the country. 

Mrs Egbetokun made the call when she led the Management of the Association to the Residence of Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin at Alalubosa Estate, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The wife of the IGP said, the roles of women in the society could not be underestimated, hence the need for them to be empowered, supported and encouraged to also contribute their quota through Agribusiness to national development.

Mrs Egbetokun assured of POWA’s commitment to enhancing the productivity of Women in Agriculture to improve their livelihood and income.

She sought the blessings of the Olubadan-Designate in her efforts at making women particularly members of her Association self reliant and playing active roles at homes as good and virtuous women.

Responding, the Olubadan-Designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin who spoke through the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Lateef Adebimpe commended the wife of the Inspector General of Police and her team for the visit, saying, the visit was the first from the Federal Authorities since the nomination of Oba Olakulehin as Olubadan of Ibadanland.

He promised to give priority to gender equality and respect women in the Society, irrespective of Religious, Tribe or Status.

On the entourage of Mrs Egbetokun were Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr. Adebola Hamzat, wives of the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Zone 12 and 17, some Wives of Assistants Inspector-General, AIGs,  and those of Commissioners of Police, While Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Eddy Oyewole, Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Kolawole Adegbola joined the Olubadan-Designate to receive the Team.

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Agriculture

Don Urges Youths to Tap Potential of Bee Business

By Web News 178 0

By Lanre Omotosho

As the World commemorates Bee Day, youths across Nigeria have been enjoined to explore various value chains involved in the bee business.

A lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Federal University Oye Ekiti, Professor Raphael Omolehin gave the advice to commemorate the Day with the theme “Bee Engaged With Youth”.

Professor Omolehin who frowned at importation of honey bee into the country, charged Nigerian youths to bridge the gap.

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The agricultural-economist emphasized that rearing bee required little capital with huge returns on investment, hence youth should embrace such.

He explained that engagement of young people in beekeeping as new generation of environmental leaders would improve quality agriculture that would be benefitial to both human populations and the ecosystem.  

The don identified honey, pollen, propolis, bee bread, royal jelly and wax among the by-products that could be derived from rearing bees which are useful for domestic, industrial and pharmaceutical companies.

Professor Raphael Omolehin stressed that bee as pollinator is significant to food production and human existence, hence the need to desist from destroying them with fire and harmful chemicals.

United Nations General Assembly had in 2017 declared May 20 as World Bee Day to  raise awareness on the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy. 

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Agriculture

Proper Care of Plants Prevents Hunger, Reduces Poverty – Don

By Web News 219 0

By Lanre Omotosho

Nigerians have been enjoined to always take proper care of plants in order to prevent hunger and reduce poverty.

A lecturer in the Department of Plant Science, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, FUOYE, Dr. Ayoola Oluwajobi gave the advice in Ado Ekiti to commemorate this year’s International Day of Plant Health with the theme, “Plant Health, Safe Trade, Digital Technology”.

Dr. Oluwajobi emphasized that plants provide 80% food for mankind, 98% breathe in oxygen as well as taking away carbondioxide, hence the need for the proper care.
While noting that healthy plants produce food optimally, the don explained that proper watering and manure would enhance their growth.

He emphasized that indiscriminate dumping of waste, air, soil and water pollutions negatively affect the growth of plants, which would be detrimental to health of whoever consumes them.

The don stressed that heavy metal picked by plants from indiscriminate waste disposal, ate by roaming animals would automatically have health implications on human-beings who consume them.

Dr Oluwajobi, however, cautioned against inappropriate usage of agro chemicals, urging farmers to always follow manufacturers’ instructions for consumers not to pick residues from what they eat.

The United Nations, UN, had in 2022 set aside May 12 of every year as International Day of Plant Health to safeguard biodiversity and promote economic development.

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Agriculture

APC Chieftain Makes Case for Improved Investment in Agriculture

By Web News 284 0

By Olawale Asake

A Chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, Prince Niran Adeyoju has advised the Federal Government to invest more in Agriculture across the nation to make food sufficient for its Citizens

Prince Adeyoju who is the patron of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Ibadan gave the advice while speaking with Radio Nigeria on the current hike in food commodities.

He said the country needed to diversify from Oil and concentrate on provision of food through mechanised farming that would be more productive in the interest of all.

The Business Tycoon enjoined individuals to embrace subsistence farming like planting of vegetables, maize and tubers within their compounds, saying it would reduce crowded dependency on the unavailable goods in the Market.

Prince Adeyoju, however, commended President Bola Tinubu for taking bold steps at repositioning the Country, urging Nigerians to be more patient with the policies and Programmes of the Federal Government.

He expressed optimistic that Nigerians would soon enjoy the results of government policies

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Agriculture

We remain resolute on bringing prosperity to the state – Makinde

By Web News 210 0

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has reiterated his commitment to making the state a modern agribusiness hub in Sub-Saharan Africa, just as he promised to give more support to farmers and improve infrastructure and security with a view to attracting large investments in agriculture to the state. 

He stated this in his opening remark at an event themed, “Agribusiness for Food Security Initiative”, held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, (IITA), Ibadan. 

Governor Makinde noted that his government remained resolute in bringing prosperity to the state and would continue to support youths. 

The governor said in his Roadmap for Accelerated Development, that he had thought of how to take the people from poverty to prosperity, noting that given the state’s comparative advantage of arable land, it was clear that embracing agriculture was the way to go, but it was also obvious that using the old method of farming would not produce the desired result.  

He said, “We are a state that was doing poorly on economic indices. The internally generated revenue was low for a state that has a rich history of economic development and we are close to the nation’s commercial capital. Lagos is not far from here. Every month, they do an IGR of about N65bn and here, when we came in, it was N1.8bn but we have now managed to push it close to N4bn.

 So, in terms of where we want to be, we have not scratched the surface yet. 

“So, we had to find a way to stimulate the economy quickly. Our comparative advantage is the arable land. If we are to achieve accelerated development, we have to build our economy around this advantage. The 11 local government areas in Ibadan are double the size of the whole of Lagos State. So, it was a no-brainer that we have to leverage agriculture and agribusiness, but we are not content with practicing agriculture like it was done in the past. 

“We need an economic solution driven by data. We need an achievable strategy powered in a new way of thinking about agriculture. One of the platforms set up to drive the new way of thinking about agriculture was the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), headed by Dr Debo Akande.

“So, I will also say that Dr Akande has been instrumental in pushing the new way of practising agriculture in Oyo State and I can tell the whole world that this is yielding dividends. To achieve this, we will focus on partnerships to drive agribusiness, working with the private sector and development organisations.”

Governor Makinde said for Oyo State to become a modern agribusiness hub in Sub-Saharan Africa would require the attraction of large investments in agriculture, adding that to attract the kind of investments needed by the state; it would need to provide adequate infrastructure and security. 

He said though the state on his watch had done so well with the provision of infrastructure and security, it would still do more to buoy investors’ confidence. 

Talking about the Fasola Industrial Hub, the governor said developing it had provided the state a learning opportunity that would come handy as the state embarks on building Eruwa and Akufo industrial hubs. 

The governor lauded the IITA for helping the state with high-quality seeds which are propelling increased productivity in the state.

In a keynote address, a former President of Nigeria, who is also an Honorary Ambassador of IITA, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said agribusiness would play a vital role in the future of the country. 

Chief Obasanjo said that the federal government should not be directly involved in agribusiness since the states have the landmass, resources, manpower, innovations and the infrastructure to develop holistic strategies for food security.

He commended the efforts of women in agribusiness and also encouraged them to do more as food security and food nutrition would go a long way in providing more employment, boost the foreign exchange, and increase in internally generated revenue.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Africa Continental Director CGIAR/ Director General IITA, Dr Simeon Ehui, said the forum was aimed at addressing pressing issues on food security and to drive positive changes by leveraging major stakeholders to ensure a sustainable future for the present and next generation.

Some beneficiaries of Oyo State Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP), Ibukunoluwa Tubi and Dolapo Opekun, lauded the initiative which has brought hope to youths. They also thanked Governor Makinde for empowering and supporting youths. 

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Agriculture

Oyo Commences Fourth Phase Distribution of Agric Inputs

By Web News 191 0

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo State Government has commenced the fourth phase of the distribution of agricultural inputs to 2,537 farmers across the state with the distribution of cassava stems, hybrid maize seedlings, herbicides and nap-sack sprayers.

While flagging off the exercise at Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government, Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development,  Olasunkanmi Olaleye, who also doubles as the Chairman, SAfER Food Security Sub-Committee, hinted that the distribution of inputs to farmers was also going on simultaneously at Igboora, Ibarapa Central Local Government and Ayete in Ibarapa North Local Government.

He noted that the exercise was to ensure that Oyo State has abundant food supply for the people of the state and to reduce prices of foodstuffs so as to cushion the effect of economic hardship on residents of the state.

He said: “Today, we are commencing the fourth phase of Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER), food security sub-sector.

“You know that, the SAfER programme has different sub-sectors, we have the food palliatives that have been distributed, we have the one on transportation, we have the one on health and this one is on food security”.

He continued: “So what we are doing today is distribution of inputs to farmers, we are distributing cassava stems, special maize seeds that can germinate faster, we are also giving out nap-sack sprayers to farmers across Oyo State, and in addition to that, we are also giving them herbicides to protect their crops against invasion of insects and all that.

“So, in this fourth phase, not less than 2,537 farmers will benefit. You will recall that, before now, there had been three phases of food security sub-sector interventions. We have given out free maize to poultry farmers, we have given out free feeds to fish farmers, we are still distributing feeds, PKC and disinfectant to piggery farmers and this is the fourth phase.”

He assured farmers that the state government through SAfER programme would in a few days commence free vaccination for livestock and equally distribute feeds to support livestock farmers, adding that, subsidy on use of tractors to cultivate their farms would commence in two weeks.

Olaleye said: “By next week, free vaccination of cattle and distribution of feeds to sheep and goat farmers will also commence across Oyo State. In the next ten days as well, subsidy on the use of tractors will commence, so if you cultivate five acres, the government will pay for two and a half acres, if you cultivate ten hectares, the government will pay for five acres for you.

“You will recall that the governor has distributed, through different finance houses, N1billion loan to farmers, more than three thousand farmers benefited from that. So, the whole essence is to ensure there Oyo State has abundant and sufficient food supply to bring down the prices of foodstuffs.”

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Rafiu Saheed , thanked the state government for the farm inputs support, saying that the materials would have significant effects on their farms and produce. 

He, therefore, urged other beneficiaries not to sell the farm inputs but to make judicious use of them to complement the efforts of the government.

It would recalled be that N1billion loan was disbursed to farmers through accredited microfinance banks, while thousands of poultry, fishery and piggery farmers had also benefited in the first, second and third phases of the inputs distribution exercise to farmers across the state. 

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Agriculture

Tomato Scarcity Looms as Farmers Battle Infestation

By Web News 241 0

By Khadijah Aliyu (Abuja)

Tomatoes scarcity looms in Kano State as 4,621 hectares of farms in the state have been infested by Tuta absoluta.

Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kano State, Abdullahi Maibreadi has called on the government at all levels to assist farmers with standard insecticide to mitigate the scourge of the reoccurring infestation of Tuta absoluta that has been plaguing farmers for almost 12 years.

Maibreadi in an interview with Radio Nigeria said the pest infested Tomato farms at Bagwai, Shanono, Kura, Garin Malam, Bebeji, Bunkure, Rano, Kibiya, parts of Tudun Wada and Dawakin Kudu local government areas of the state.

According to the chairman, if no concrete action is taken to salvage the situation within 2 weeks, farmers would incur the loss of about N10bn to N20bn in Kano.

Maibreadi pointed out that, Tuta Absoluta otherwise called ‘Sharon’ in Hausa, plagued the farmers when they were at the verge of harvesting the crop.

“It has affected and burned many farms – When the disease drops on the tomato leaf, it becomes burned and when it touches the fruit, it becomes burned and then rots and becomes waste”, he explained.

Maibreadi stressed the need for the government to assist farmers with certified and climate-resistant seeds, noting that, Okro farmers were also affected by a similar outbreak in the last farming season.

The chairman urged farmers to desist from using substandard insecticide to avoid losses.

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Agriculture

Ayedatiwa Distributes Maize, Fish to Ondo Farmers

By Web News 217 0

By Isaac Afolabi

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has distributed forty trailers of maize to poultry, fish, and piggery farmers.

The governor gave out the items the launch of distribution of food commodities to farmers at the Agric warehouse Oke-Eda Akure.

Speaking at the event, Governor Aiyedatiwa appealed for fair pricing regime among farmers and traders and not exploit consumers. 

Staff reporter Isaac Afolabi report that the distribution program is intended to force down the prices of eggs, chicken and other related produce in the market.

According to the governor , subsequent distribution of more food commodities will be rolled out.

Earlier in a welcome address, chairman, committee on  agriculture and food security , Mr Rotimi Akinsola expressed gratitude to the governor for establishing the committee, emphasizing the governor’s commitment to the welfare of the people.

Highlights of the event included decoration of the governor as grand patron by the ondo state agricultural commodities association.

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Agriculture

Over 1000 Students Graduate from Fed. College of Animal Science

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By Kehinde Mosope

Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation, Ibadan has graduated over one thousand students for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic years.

The convocation ceremony which coincides with the college’s 60th anniversary had in attendance members of the academia, stakeholders in the ministry of agriculture, traditional rulers and people from all walks of life.

In an address, Minister Of Agriculture And Food Security, Prof. Abubakar Kyari challenged the graduating students to be dynamic, embrace new technology and serve as a strong link between researchers, farmers and consumers.

Represented by the Oyo state coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Florence Kakulu, the minister appealed to the graduands to contribute immensely to food sufficiency in Nigeria rather than seeking white collar jobs.

While commending the provost, management and staff of the college for the giant strides and visionary leadership exhibited at the college, the zonal director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs Olayinka Akeredolu charged the youths to believe in themselves, their profession and the country.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Provost, Federal College Of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation Ibadan, Dr. Adekoya Owosibo said the College has produced over six thousand graduates since its inception with many of them becoming self-employed while some are in government-owned agencies. 

Dr Owosibo said products of the College stand the chance of mitigating gaps in extension workers to achieve the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s vision of National food Security.

“A school of two building structures has developed into a College of over thirty building structures.

“A school of less than one hundred students has developed to a Federal College with over one thousand five hundred students. A school of less than forty-five staff has developed into a College with over six hundred staff.

“The nomenclature of the College Academic Staff was changed from Tutor to Lectureship cadre.

“The College Lecturers have developed themselves with over fifty PhD holders and numerous Master’s Degree holders who are on the verge of completing their PhD programme in various Universities.

The provost explained that the College operates a livestock farm for students’ practicals and runs a Veterinary Clinic and Diagnostic Laboratory for analyzing samples from sick animals.

Some of the students who could not hide their joy, promised to be good ambassadors of the college and put to use the academic tutelage garnered from the school.

The event which began on Tuesday this week with an awareness walk, anniversary lecture, project commissioning, award presentation and exhibition, yesterday (4th April) featured prize giving and luncheon

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Agriculture

Third Phase of Distribution of Agric Inputs Begins in Oyo

By Web News 298 0

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo State Government has begun the third phase of the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers in the state with the distribution of two bags of 50kg feeds and two bottles of disinfectant to 1,000 pig farmers.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said this in Ajaawa, Ogo Oluwa Local Government during the flag-off of the third phase of the farm inputs distribution to farmers in the state.

He said the phase would also witness the free vaccination of at least 120,000 cattle with anthrax vaccine and CBPP vaccine, while another 250,000 cattle, goat and sheep would also be vaccinated by the state government.

Mr Olaleye added that 1,000 sheep and goat farmers across the state would equally receive two bags of 50kg wheat offal each.

The effort, he noted, is in continuation of measures introduced by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative to cushion the effect of economic hardship on residents of the state.

Mr Olaleye who is also doubles as the chairman, SAfER Food Security Sub-Committee, recalled that thousands of poultry and fishery farmers in the state had benefited in the first and second phases of the inputs distribution exercise.

He lauded the state governor for sustaining agricultural activities in the state through the SAfER initiative, adding that the initiative, which targets crop, poultry, fishery and livestock farmers, is aimed at supporting small and medium scale so as to relieve them of the current economic hardship.

Olaleye said: “We are flagging off the third phase of SAfER interventions for the food security sub-sector with the distribution of feeds and disinfectants to pig farmers across Oyo State.

“Here, 1,000 pig farmers will benefit from the distribution we are doing at the moment. They will get two bags of 50kg of PKC each with two bottles of disinfectant.

“120,000 cattle will also be vaccinated with anthrax vaccine and CBPP Vaccine, 250,000 cattle across the state will also benefit from free vaccination of anthrax vaccine. We are going to give out two bags of 50kg wheat offal feeds each to 1,000 sheep and goat farmers as well.

“This is just the beginning of the exercise and it will go across all the local government areas we have in the state.

“It is part of the SAfER initiative introduced by Governor Makinde. In the next few days, we will proceed to the stage of giving seed, cassava cotton, herbicides and knapsack sprayers to crop farmers across the state.

“The programme is aimed at reducing the cost of food in Oyo State and I want to assure you that by the next harvest season, you will see that prices of goods and food would have gone down.”

The commissioner added that as part of efforts to support farmers in the state, the governor recently pronounced a N600 million subsidy on land clearing, which would see farmers pay only N15,000 per hectare instead of N30,000 being charged earlier.

“I would like to urge the farmers to be faithful to the government and to also support our people. If they are getting free things from the government, they should also ensure they reduce the prices of goods in a corresponding manner as well.

“The governor has said that for the next six months, no farmer should pay tax on farm produce in the state. And he has promised to support farmers with 50 per cent payment on the tractor used on their farmlands.

Earlier, the chairman, Piggery Farmers Association, Mr Tope Oye-Alamu, expressed gratitude to the state government for the inclusion of pig farmers as beneficiaries of the state government initiative, noting that his sector had never benefited from such effort before.

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Agriculture

Adeleke Pledges Support for Carbon Farming Project

By Web News 199 0

By Funmi Ojo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke says his administration will fully support the Carbon Farming project in the state.

Governor Adeleke gave the assurance when he received the delegates of the National Council on Climate Change, NCC and Dyadra/Nobless Green Energy at the banquet hall of the Government House, Okefia, Osogbo, Osun State capital.

The Governor said the state technical committee on climate change would collaborate with the tripartite arrangement of the Federal Government, NCCC and Dyadra/Nobless Green Energy for the successful take-off of the project.

Earlier, the Director General, of the National Council on Climate Change, Dr Salisu Dahiru said the agency in conjunction with the French partners was bringing a multimillion-dollar biodiversity and carbon investment project to Osun State based on the vibrant climate agenda of Governor Adeleke and his disposition to the global phenomenon.

Dr Dahiru represented by Mr Kingsley Nwawuba explained that the Carbon Farming project would empower forest-dependent communities as well as boost the state economy.

Dr. Dahiru noted that one of the ways to mitigate climate change is through reforestation, the building of trees, to prevent deforestation and create job opportunities for the people.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Noblesse Green Energy, Mr. Olufemi Dosumu said the choice of Osun for the project implementation was made possible because Osun got virtually all the tick boxes that the NCCC sets as preconditions above all the 36 states in Nigeria.

He said Ago Owu in Osun State has the highest quality of trees that is second to none in Nigeria saying reforestation in the area will help realize the climate mitigation objectives which will in turn lead to job creation, technology transfer and improved infrastructure in Osun State and Nigeria at large.

In a remark, the French biodiversity investor, Mr. Ferrari said the project will reduce emissions from deforestation and enhance regulation of water cycle which affects the regional and global climate patterns among others.

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Agriculture

Forum Canvasses Innovation in Conservation of Forest Reserves

By Web News 229 0

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

Proper use of data analysis, artificial intelligence to monitor forest ecosystems, and adaptation to the current dynamic of forestry practice, will further promote the conservation of Forest Reserves.

Ogun State Head of Service, HoS, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, stated this while declaring open a-day lecture, organised as part of activities to mark International Day of Forests 2024, with the theme, “Forests and Innovation: New Resolution For A Better World”, held at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Mr. Fagbohun noted that deforestation, degradation, land use conflict, climate change and invasion of forests by illegal dwellers also affect the effective growth of forests, and called for joint control by all and sundry.

The Head of Service, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, the Bureau of Service Matters, Mr. Dipo Ogunfowora, pointed out that the state had constantly tackled challenges by evacuating intruders from its nine reserves, and planting more trees to avoid deforestation. 

He added that the conservation of trees was a collective responsibility of all, warning that illegal activities such as the burning of trees, farm cultivation on Forest Reserves, and felling of trees, among others, would have adverse effects on society.

Also Speaking, the state Commissioner for Forestry, Mr Taiwo Oludotun, disclosed that a platform for online payment for logging operations had been set up by the Ministry to block revenue leakages arising from logging operations.

Mr. Oludotun, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Mr. Timothy Olatunji lauded the present administration in the state in achieving the set target of planting over one million tree seedlings on 848.33 hectares in Forest Reserves across the state last year.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Timothy Olatunji, who spoke through the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ministry, Mr. Kayode Onanuga, enjoined the public to imbibe the culture and practice of afforestation through aggressive tree planting and desist from deforestation.

The high point of the event was symbolic tree planting.

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Agriculture

Gov Oyebanji Orders Forest Guards to partner Security Agencies 

By Web News 231 0

By Amos Ogunrinde

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has directed the newly recruited Forest Guards in the state to synergize with security agencies to flush out kidnappers and other criminals that are using Ekiti forests as hideouts and inflicting terror on the citizens.

Mr Oyebanji gave the directive at the passing out parade organised for the Forest Guards as part of activities marking the 2024 International Forests Day with the theme: “Forests and Innovation: New Solution for a Better World”, held in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, announced that government recently employed 22 Forest Guards, 18 boundary-men and 10 technicians to strengthen the workforce and be able to tackle rising cases of insecurity, deforestation and other criminal acts being perpetrated by some unscrupulous elements in Ekiti forests.

The governor stated that 20 hectares of land in Ise Forest being used for cultivation of Indian Hemp, was recently discovered and destroyed to safeguard the lives of the citizens.

He assured the people of the state that his government had mapped out strategies in partnership with some stakeholders to increase the forest potential of Ekiti State for improved economy, ecosystem and atmospheric conditions capable of bringing about healthy living and improved life expectancy of the citizens.

Governor Oyebanji pledged that his administration would equip the workforce of the commission to be able to deliver on the mandate of improving the internally generated revenue of the state.

On her part, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko pointed out that two million tree seedlings would be planted in 2024 to shore up the state’s forest potential.

Chief Ajisafe-Aluko stated that the state government would contrive many innovations to improve forestation and make Ekiti viable in the sector to return to the old good days when forestry contributed to the growth of the economy.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Ekiti State Forestry Commission, Mr. Sunday Adekunle told the gathering that the government is currently nursing sixty thousand (60,000) seedlings of various species at Erunfun Nursery that will be sold to interested members of the public to boost plantation agriculture.

Mr Adekunle assured that the government would also partner all relevant agencies to tackle forest desertification, pursue a robust forest regeneration policy and propel efficient monitoring of all forests to contribute to the economic development of the state.

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