Agriculture

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

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

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

By Mosope Kehinde

A leading manufacturer of agrochemicals and farm products, Jubaili Agrotech has celebrated its twenty years of impact in Agricultural development in Nigeria with farmers’ engagement and appreciation in Ibadan.

At the event held at the company’s Ibadan head office, Magazine Road, Jericho, Jubaili Agrotech, the maker of popular Force-Up pre-planting herbicide, used the occasion to showcase its recent expansion and innovations to customers in attendance.

Speaking with radio Nigeria, Director of Sales, Poultry and Animal Health, Mr Ahmed Faris said the company has experienced a rapid transformation by expanding its business scope from the agrochemical industry to farm Seeds and animal health.

Mr Faris who said Jubaili Agrotech was committed to customer satisfaction explained that quality and effectiveness were the unique selling points for Jubaili Agrotech brands

Also speaking, Mahad Aman-adil hinted that the company has over the years provided solutions to farmers’ problems across the board, noting that the management would soon introduce agro marketing department where its experts would visit farmers on their farmlands to provide professional services.

While an expert from the animal health section, Dr Kareem Akintunde highlighted some of the company’s new products including antibiotics, multivitamins, Calcium and deworming drugs, his project development counterpart, Mr Abdulraheem Abdulraman urged farmers to extend the trust they have in the company’s agrochemicals to its farm seed products

In their separate remarks, some of the long-existing and new customers who are majorly farmers commended Jubaili Agrotech for their innovations and consistency in producing brands that promote farmers’ agricultural production.

They however urged the management to prioritize more supplies of its products at all times.

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Agriculture

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo State Government says it will commence the disbursement of over N 340 million to eligible crop farmers across the seven zones of the state as of Friday, February 9, 2024.

The disbursement is under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery ( SAfER) initiative of the state government 

This is in addition to a sum of over N416 million recently disbursed to 1,407 farmers across the state in the third batch of the programme. 

Addressing newsmen on the progress of the SAfER programme at the Press Centre of the Governor’s Office, the Chairman, Agric Credit  Corporation of Oyo State,(ACCOS), Sheikh Taofeek Akeugbagold, explained that the project has been non-partisan as it is available for the generality of genuine farmers including the youths that were trained by the State Government under the YEAP programme.

He said, given the present economic hardship being experienced by the citizenry of the state, the Corporation has been given a marching order to better the lots of the peasants most importantly in the area of agriculture.

While assuring that real farmers who missed out from all the batches that have been previously considered would be taken care of once the payment is coming forth, Sheikh Akeugbagold also implored fresh graduates who are interested in agricultural practices to approach the corporation to access funds.

Sheikh Akeugbagold urged the beneficiaries to complement the effort of the government by being faithful with the funds they obtained and to reciprocate the kind gesture of the government by paying back the fund by the due date such that others could benefit from it as a revolving fund.

Earlier, the General Manager of the Corporation, Mr. Ogunniran Emmanuel commended the state government’s efforts in alleviating the hardship of people occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy. 

It would be recalled that the state government had provided a sum of N1billion  under the 

Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery ( SAfER) initiative of the state government to support farmers in the state to cushion the effects of subsidy removal by the federal government.

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Agriculture

By Lilian Ibomor

Policies favourable to agriculture will not only boost food production but will equally attract youths in the country to engage in farming.

Chairman Sustainable Farmers Association of Nigeria SUFAN, Southwest Zone, Mr Matthew Ogunmodede, stated this at the 15th annual Farmer’s Forum, a programme facilitated by the Justice Development and Peace Commission, JDPC, Ibadan.

Mr Ogunmode explained that food security should not be a critical issue if the government at all levels address factors militating against maximum utilization of the vast arable lands in the country, and the involvement of teeming youths in farming.

Southwest Zone SUFAN chairman pointed out particularly that governors in the region needed to address issues of road network, inadequate storage facilities and irrigation system, which are necessary for farmers in the Southwest to compete favourably with their counterparts in the North.

Mr Ogunmodede added that the availability of these facilities would make farming very attractive to youths in the region.

In a goodwill message, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese, Ibadan, Most Reverend Gabriel Abegunrin urged the government to address incessant attacks, invasion and destruction of crops, which were seriously affecting farmers.

Archbishop Abegurin said Nigerians should continue to pray fervently for the government in its efforts to tackle insecurity and other issues bedevilling the country.

Among those in attendance at the event were representatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp, NSCDC, the Miyetti Allah and Traditional rulers.

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Agriculture

Oluwakayode Banjo

Oyo State government has recommended standard operating procedure (SOP) for Poultry Processing Farmers to avert zoonotic diseases.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Oladunkanmi Olaleye, said the move was to sanitize poultry business in the state and ensure the safety of lives and properties of the citizenry. 

The Commissioner added that the move will also eradicate zoonotic diseases and quackery in the poultry business and slaughterhouses.

Presenting the SOP to the Chairman, Association of Poultry Processors, Oyo State Charter and his members today in his office, the Commissioner noted that 90 per cent of human diseases were contracted from animals (Zoonotic) hence the Oyo state government has embarked on an aggressive campaign. 

The Commissioner added that monitoring of the activities of slaughters and those in animal business has also begun; stressing consumption of healthy poultry products cannot be negotiated. 

Olasunkanmi added that the regulations will cover all aspects of poultry processing, from procurement of chicken to slaughtering, as well as transportation and packaging.

The Commissioner hinted that all chicken plants and chicken slaughterhouses must have been accredited and licensed before the commencement of operations, according to section 5 sub-section 1 of the Oyo State Meat law. 

According to him, the law says “the controlling authority or any other person wishing to establish a slaughterhouse shall make an application in the prescribed form to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the registration of such slaughterhouse”.

He maintained that the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will serve as a guideline for inspecting chicken processing plants with a focus on food safety, quality control, and veterinary regulatory compliance.

The commissioner, however, urged the association to strictly adhere to the SOP, saying violators will face the wrath of the law. 

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Christianah Abioye said the move was not to put hardship on members of the association 

She stressed that this would equally help the government to ascertain their data, as this will grant them access to the government’s support.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Association of Poultry Processors, Oyo State Chapter, Mr. Balogun Aboidun commended the Oyo State Government for its various efforts in eradicating zoonotic disease and support the poultry association has received so far. 

He pledged the union’s readiness to support the present administration in the state to achieve its vision towards boosting the agricultural sector in the state.

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Security

By Mosope Kehinde 

Oyo State House of Assembly has urged the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Hamzat Adebola to unravel the circumstances behind the clash between herders and farmers that claimed lives in Iwere Ile, Iwajowa Local Government.

The House made the appeal following a matter of urgent public importance brought to it by a lawmaker representing Iwajowa state, Mr Anthony Ogunsola on the need to investigate the crisis.

Mr Ogunsola said about six persons including one Mr Kege were killed in the clash which he said was a result of an altercation from alleged open grazing on the deceased farm.

The lawmaker also alleged that another person was attacked on Wednesday along Itasa community – Iwere Ile road, calling on the state commissioner of police to deploy more personnel to the area.

Contributing, the Majority Leader, Mr Sanjo Adedoyin and lawmaker representing Atiba Constituency, Mr Gbenga Oyekola expressed displeasure that the state was still facing such unfortunate incidents despite the government’s efforts to curb farmers herders clashes.

They also called for urgent implementation of the state anti-grazing law

In a resolution, Deputy Speaker, Mr Abiodun Fadeyi, who presided over the plenary commiserated with families of the victims and directed the House Committee on Security to invite Miyetti Allah Association on the matter.

Meanwhile, the House also called on the executive through the Ministry of Local Government to direct all council and LCDAs chairmen to embark on massive rehabilitation and regular maintenance of feeder roads.

The lawmakers were of the opinion that local government chairmen should be more alive to their responsibilities, especially at making sure roads in their domains are rehabilitated and well-maintained

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Agriculture

By Iyabo Adebisi

No fewer than 1,545 beneficiaries have received agricultural inputs so far in 19 local government areas out of the 33 LGAs in Oyo state as a support from Governor Seyi Makinde.

The distribution of the agricultural inputs to beneficiaries in 19 LGAs in the state so far, was carried out by the Oyo-Ncares in partnership with the World Bank under the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) in line with the vision of the present administration in the state to assist the farmers that were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking with journalists at Oluyole Local Government during the last phase of the distribution to the 19 selected LGAs in the state, the state coordinator for Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus,(N-Cares) Result Area 2, Mr. Kolawole  Bamigbola, said the beneficiaries comprises casava farmers, maize farmers, rice and tomatoes farmers. 

He also noted that the state sponsored Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project, YEAP beneficiaries were carried along in the distributions exercise that cut across all the 19 LGAs so far.

Mr Bamgbola who noted that Covid-19 is no more ravaging the country said the farm inputs distribution to the farmers would serve as a kind of palliatives to them to reduce hunger and poverty in the society following subsidy removal. 

In their separate remarks, the Executive Chairman of Oluyole Olaide Popoola and his Ona-Ara counterpart  Musibau Sanusi lauded the state governor Engineer Seyi Makinde for supporting the farmers at the grassroot.

Some of the beneficiaries in an interview expressed gratitude to Governor  Makinde over the support, pledging to make good use of the inputs to boost their farm produces.

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Agriculture

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

More than one thousand farmers in Ogun State have been provided with agricultural inputs and farm assets as part of the Federal Government’s intervention efforts to ensure livelihood support and food security for poor and vulnerable households in the country. 

The official disbursement, through the Nigerian COVID 19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus, NG-CARES, in collaboration with the Ogun State government was held in Ijebu-Ode for beneficiaries drawn from nine local government areas in Ogun East Senatorial District of the state. 

Addressing the gathering, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Samuel Adeogun said a total of 20,922 farmers would be empowered across the state and advised the farmers to take advantage of the intervention to boost their capacity and standard of living. 

Also, the Project Manager of the State Agricultural Development Programme, Mrs Solape Awe expressed optimism that the domesticated Ogun State CARES FADAMA – 2 initiative, aimed at mitigating the harsh effects of the COVID 19 pandemic on farmers would further strengthen the food supply chain in the state. 

1,150 cluster farmers were provided with different inputs and farm assets including day old chicks, goats and pigs as well as sprayers, fertilizer, chemicals and feeds at the event. 

Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mr Sunday Aina and Mrs Adejoke Israel applauded the support and promised to turn the inputs into profit for the benefit of the state. 

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Agriculture

By Olusegun Folarin

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Abubakar wants farmers to take advantage of the available training programmes on climate change resilient practices to boost their production capacity.

Dr Abubakar made the call in Abeokuta at a training programme for maize farmers on the need to tackle the challenges of climate change.

Speaking through a representative, Mrs Esther Moyo, the Minister emphasized the need for the farmers to be equipped with adequate knowledge and resources to cushion the effect of harsh weather on their operations with a view of improving their productivity.

Also, the Ogun State Acting Coordinator, for the Ministry, Dr Ayo Ajayi said the training was aimed at keeping the farmers up to date in farming business and helping them to develop ways to manage the prevailing weather condition.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Adeola Odedina who was represented by the Acting Programme Manager of the State Agricultural Development Programme, OGADEP, Mrs Solape Awe urged the farmers to embrace safe farming practices for enhanced productivity.

Speaking on climate resilient practices in maize production in the South West region of the country, a resource person, Mr Femi Akinniyi encouraged the farmers to adopt the use of weather forecasting tools, smart tillage and early maturing varieties in the bid to mitigate the effects of climate on maize production.

Some of the farmers, Mr Nurudeen Olayinka, Mrs Adeola Gbadamosi and Mr Oladipo Ogungbe who described the training programme as timely, urged the federal government to support small holder farmers with necessary tools, especially, in the area of irrigation.

Agriculture

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo State Government through the state’s Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) and its Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus, (N-CARES) project has again commenced distribution of farm assets and livestock for farmers and YEAP trainees across all the 33 local government areas in the state.

The State Government in its efforts to protect the livelihoods and food security of poor and vulnerable farmers disproportionately affected by the covid-19 pandemic set up the state N-CARES project with the aim to facilitate the recovery of local economic activity for the affected farmers in the state.

Speaking with journalists during the distribution of farm assets at Ibarapa North, Ayete, the state coordinator for Oyo State N-Care Result Area 2, Mr. Bamigbola  Adewumi stated that the project was to boost food security in the state, through input and assets  distributions for the real local farmers

He said 140 farmers which included local and small-scale farmers and the Youth Entrepreneurship In Agribusiness Project (YEAP) are benefiting from the gesture. 

Mr. Bamigbola explained that the farm assets and others including cassava grater and presser machines worth millions was geared to meet the needs of the beneficiaries.

He also explained a group of ten youths farmers who are into maize farming  sponsored  to Nasarawa by the State Government for training would be given a maize thresher machine for processing to assist them in the ease of doing business while another set of Nasarawa trainees went home with sprayer and safety kits, 

The beneficiaries of the project, Mr. Salako Kazeem Babatunde, a livestock farmer at Ibarapa North Local Government Area Ayete, Mr. Odeyemi Mayowa Odeniyi from Ibarapa Central, Mrs. Okegbenro Suliaht Odunayo from Ibarapa Central, Igboora all lauded Governor Seyi Makinde over the state N-CARES project.

They all promised to make good use of the items given to them to the benefit of themselves, their immediate communities and the state at large.

Mr. Olayiwola Lanre, the Facilitator of the state N-Care Project, Result Area 2, Ibarapa North Local Government, Ayete, said, the programme was solely is to militate the adverse effect of covid-19. 

Mr Olayiwols lauded OYSADA for visiting all the local government areas in the state for identification purposes and this really make it easier for us to identify the real farmers.

Some other areas covered by the state N-CARES at the ongoing distributions of farm items are Oluyole LGA, Aba Ege, while assets distributed to the beneficiaries are 20 knapsack sprayers, 10 PPE, 2 cassava presser and grater machines, and Ibadan North East, the group that benefitted from the project are Agbesayedotun, and they went home with 800 poultry birds, 10 poultry cages, 60 female goats, 20 female goats, 20 male sheep’s; Lagelu LGA, the beneficiary group who is Agbegbemi, went home with 40 knapsack sprayers, 20 PPE, among others

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Agriculture

Ogun State Government says it will continue to engage the relevant stakeholders in adopting new strategies towards improving the quality and quantity of agricultural produce in the state. 

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Adeola Odedina stated this at the opening of a Pre-Season Training for Cocoa Farmers at Area J4 in Ijebu East Local Government Area in the state. 

Dr Odedina said the move would help to strengthen economic diversification while improving the well-being of farmers and others involved in the agricultural value chain process. 

The Commissioner highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by the unwholesome activities of those he described as mischievous stakeholders and the attendant adverse effects on ensuring the standard quality of agricultural produce. 

Dr Odedina expressed optimism that resolving the rift between cocoa farmers in government-reserved forests and officials of the supervising ministry would put an end to the destruction of cash crops in the forests and boost the profit margin for the merchants as well as revenue into the government’s coffers. 

In a remark, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Dotun Sorunke said farmers and other value chain stakeholders were being trained on the need to improve the quality and quantity of their yield to meet the international standard while 100,000 new improved cocoa seedlings were supplied to farmers across the state free of charge as part of efforts to encourage reposition the industry. 

Earlier, the state Chairmen, of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria, Chief Sesan Sowunmi and that of the Cocoa Farmers Association, Apostle Solomon Williams, had applauded the training programme and advised members to adopt best agricultural practices in the cultivation and processing of cocoa for enhanced performance. 

 Olatunji Idowu

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Agriculture

Oyo state government has again stressed its determination to create an enabling environment for farmers in the state.

Governor Seyi Makinde stated this at the launch of a poultry technology initiative that would assist farmers to achieve positive results in their animal production in Ibadan.

The governor who was represented by his Executive Adviser on Agribusiness, Dr Debo Akande at the official launch of Farmsured Technology for a day old chicks Protection noted that the farm sure technology has been designed in such a way that there is traceability of every input of day old chicks production in the poultry sector.

Dr Akande who spoke through Dr Tunde Amole of the International Livestock Research Institute said the initiative would bring more succour to the farmers in the state.

He said, “We are here to unveil one of the technology inputs that can help farmers in livestock particularly in Oyo state and in Nigeria as a whole, over the years we’ve discovered that some of the inputs needed by farmers to have good yields or good productions are counterfeit, the farmers have no control over them, today the technology that we are unveiling here has been designed in such a way that there is traceability of every input.

“For instance, the person that made a day old chicks is putting his signature on it, there is a scratch on the technology for the farmers to use in confirming the genuineness of the products they buy. 

“This will bring a great impact on the smallholder farmers. For they will be able to source for resources in a cheaper, traceable way and only if you rest assured that all your inputs are of quality standards that when you can go to the market with your animals and smile back homes because there is no doubt that all your animals will be of great products”.

Also speaking, the registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) Professor Eustace Iyayi while stressing the importance of poultry said the technology would minimize quackery in the day-old chicks sub-sector and standardize operation alongside the axis of the poultry value chain.

In an interview, the initiator of the concept, Mr Ayooluwa Okediji said the technology would fight adulteration of agricultural inputs is one of the reasons due to inaccessibility to quality inputs. 

The event was graced with government officials, farmers, and stakeholders in the poultry farming sector among others.

Iyabo Adebisi

Agriculture

Farmers whose farm lands and produce were affected by the ongoing airport project in Ado Ekiti, the state capital have again protested at the site of the airport over alleged failure of the state government to compensate them.

The affected farmers appealed to the state government to fulfil its promise in compensating them monetarily.

The farmers consisting of aged men and women carried placards with various inscriptions lamented that they have been difficult for them since their source of livelihood had been destroyed.

Elder Omoremi Olarotimi who spoke on behalf of the protesting aged told newsmen that the government is taking advantage of their old age and poor status to cheat them of their entitlements.

” You can see we are all old and aged people here, we have been begging and appealing but it appears the government is levering on the fact that we are too weak to do anything. We are here today to appeal so we can be compensated just like our other colleagues” he concluded.

But in a swift reaction, the Project coordinator of the airport, Mr Bunmi Awotiku while fielding questions from Newsmen in his office in Ado Ekiti, berated the protesters for being economical with the truth.

He said  the state governor Dr John Kayode Fayemi followed due process and ensured that all concerned persons were adequately compensated.

” This project started as far back as the administration of Engineer Segun Oni in 2010 and when Fayose came in, he started the project even though he refused to consult  experts  and the communities affected and he was stopped by the court of law after the affected communities took him to the court for legal redress.

It was the administration of Fayemi that took the matter out of court and called for a round table meeting with the farm owners and one Bolorunduro community which is no longer in existence.

We even paid for the structures in that community.

We went to these communities to speak with the people and their representatives and everything was documented.

Their names as you can see here, address and even phone numbers was taken to fast track the enumeration process.

When we called them for the enumeration some of them thinking that the project will not be a success refused to show up but majority showed up and we were able to enumerate the land  and areas annexed.

We have paid over 700 million in terms of compensation, we even started a second phase but we had to stop it when some of them started impersonating, falsification and re enumerating the areas that has earlier been accounted for.

These people who are now complaining attacked us with juju, charms, and we were even stoned at some point but we still appealed to them to allow the enumeration to be done.

We have paid and we are not owing them, I have the records here, they came to pavilion here to get the cheques and for the records nobody was paid in cash.

As you can see for yourselves their pictures are here too for all to see, the dates, time and even places are all here.

We transferred money into their accounts and each and everyone of them has their names, addresses and phone numbers in print.

It is not possible for us to pay twice and unless they are being manipulated or misled by some groups of people trying to extort the government ” He concluded.

Mr Awotiku maintained that he had the records of all the over 600 persons who have all been paid and properly compensated.

Amos Ogunrinde

Agriculture

Researchers from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta have commenced sensitization for farmers on the climate information services for early warning system on climate change in the southwest.

The unveiling of the research work aimed at assisting farmers to prepare against the impacts of climate change held in Abeokuta was attended by stakeholders from the six states of the south west.

Lead researcher, Doctor John Oyedepo while speaking said the research sponsored by the tertiary education trust fund, TETFUND was to assist the country in achieving food security and improve the economic status of the farmers.

Director of research, innovations and partnerships of federal university of agriculture Abeokuta, Doctor Mutiu Busari in a remark said the research would assist farmers to make informed decisions and help them to increase yields.

The project trained one thousand four hundred and forty farmers from seventy villages across the six states on smart farming with access to early warning system and information dissemination platforms.

The farmers through the research outcome also have access to weather information websites, online radio and other small phone enabled applications aimed at providing useful information on farming activities.

Wale Oluokun

Agriculture

About two hundred cassava farmers from the south West have been trained by the federal ministry of Agriculture and Rural development on good infestation control and good farm practices.

The South West regional Director of the ministry, Mrs. Omolara Oguntuyi while declaring the training open at National Root and Tuber Training centre at Ijebu Ife, Ogun state said the government was working to achieving food and nutrition security through the training.

She noted that the government was combining other policies and agricultural technologies to create job and wealth as well to improve people’s standard of living.

Mrs. Oguntuyi said federal ministry of Agriculture was promoting crops like cassava because of its comparative advantage in production.

The regional director said the purpose of the workshop was to train farmers on good agricultural practices, control/management of whitefly infestation on cassava farms for sustainable production.

Also speaking, the Director General, Federal Department of Agriculture, Mr. Abdullahi Abubakar stated that Nigeria is the world largest producer of cassava with an estimated production of over sixty million metric tons noting that average yield of the crop in Nigeria is still lower than those obtained in other developed countries around the world.

Mr. Abubakar who attributed the low yield to biotic and abiotic factors including pest and diseases, said the training was expected to increase productivity and promote small, medium and large-scale commercial production of the cassava using improved high yielding varieties.

Wale Oluokun

Crime

Tension and palpable fear hang in the air in Ikakumo Akoko, an agrarian community in Akoko North East Local Akoko area of Ondo.

Report says that farmers are now staying away from their farms due to incessant farmers-herders clashes.

The latest incident involved a 40-year-old farmer Mr Idowu Bayode who was macheted by two herdsmen on his farm.

Narrating his ordeal to Positive FM on his hospital bed, the victim said that he went to his cashew plantation where he met the herdsmen plucking the cashew into sacks.

The victim

 Mr Bayode said while seeking to find out why the herdsmen were plucking cashew on his farm, they attacked him with their cutlasses, while he cried for help..

According Mr Bayode, the timely presence of his brother who came and saw him in a pool of blood as the herdsmen had inflicted deep cuts on him, saved him.

The chairman of Ikakumo Development Council, Mr Festus Omogboye said there was a siege on Ikakumo as people were now afraid to go to their farms and markets.

A community leader, Prince Foluso Aminu condemned the incident, calling on the state government to beef up security in the area being a border town with Edo State.

The Ikare Divisional Superintendent of Police, Mr Olatujoye Akinwande who confirmed the incident said one person has been arrested over the incident.

Ibrahim Kilani

Agriculture

Poultry farmers have appealed to the Federal Government to ban the exportation of soya beans and maize to allow Nigerian farmers to produce for local use.

The poultry farmers while speaking in Abeokuta noted that the exchange rate and many other challenges had forced a lot of farmers out of business with many industries in the sector closing shop. 

The prices of poultry and livestock feed concentrates had continued to rise in the Nigerian market in recent times, due to an astronomical increase in the prices of maize and soybeans as major raw materials and this has led to a rise in the cost of livestock, including chicken, turkey and eggs.

The poultry farmers during their annual get together in Abeokuta expressed the fears that Nigerians might have to pay more for the poultry products.

The chairman of the association, Dr. Olalekan Odunsi while advising Nigerians to brace up for the high cost of chicken as a result of the current situation pointed out that the poultry farmers were facing harsh socio-economic situations.

Dr Odunsi emphasized that apart from the high cost of animal feeds and exchange rate that had continued to take a toll on the industry the problem of insecurity remained a major threat to the survival of poultry farming.

Addressing the gathering, the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture Dr. Adeola Odedina expressed the states’ commitment towards improving Livestock production through Public Private Partnership approach.

Dr Obadina said the present administration in the state was working with poultry farmers to encourage mass production of livestock and eggs for export value-chain.

Also, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Olabode Adetoyi urged the Southwest States to create the enabling environment for farmers to operate. 

The Ekiti state commissioner for Agriculture and Food security announced that the Ekiti state Government was granting tax holidays and security to all agribusiness investors operating in the State. 

The Poultry farmer’s annual gathering, according to the organizers is aimed at enabling them to compare notes and share ideas on current technologies and poultry farming techniques as well as business ideas.

Wale Oluokun

Agriculture

As part of efforts to reposition agriculture, ensure food security and empower young farmers, the Osun State Government has commenced distribution of chicks to livestock farmers in the State. 
No fewer than 100 farmers benefitted from the first phase of the distribution exercise as each of the beneficiaries took home 2000 day-old chicks.
The State Government also commenced distribution of feed-mills, vaccines and drugs to farmers, an effort geared towards enhancing their production capacity.
The initiative is anchored under the Osun Broilers Outgrowers Production Scheme (OBOPS-III), aimed to eliminate poverty and enhance production capacity of the livestock farmers in the State.
While flagging off the distribution exercise at Ara Junction, Ede, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Dayo Adewole said the initiative was designed to support farmers particularly the youth and women who could not afford to secure the chicks.
Mr Adewole who was represented by the Director of Livestock Services, Osun Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Amos Daramola, said adequate vaccines, drugs and feed-mills that would be enough to last between five and six weeks had been put in place for distribution to beneficiary farmers.
The Commissioner who described the initiative as a veritable tool to eliminate poverty, and unemployment in the State, said the scheme would go a long way to further attract and encourage the young ones to agriculture particularly livestock production.
In their separate remarks, some of the beneficiaries who expressed satisfaction and delight at the kind gesture extended to them by the government, promised to justify the purpose to which the programme was implemented
Mr. Nurudeen Ibrahim and Mrs. Oguntuwase Adenike registered their gratitude to the government for prioritising  agriculture and welfare of farmers in the State.

Adenitan Akinola

Agriculture

The Oyo State House of Assembly has decried the high cost of buying, hiring and getting agricultural inputs. 

It however called on the executive to increase its support for farmers across the State as they cultivate more hectares of lands for late rain and dry season farming.

The appeal was contained in the resolutions made by the House while deliberating on a Motion brought before it by member representing, Oriire State Constituency, Mr Jacob Bamigboye.

According to Mr Bamigboye, the fear of unknown in terms of insecurity, destruction of farmlands among others made farmers to either cultivate small hectares of land or abandon their farms at the onset of the raining season.

In his contribution, lawmaker representing Ibadan North East 1

Olamide Akinajo emphasized the need to encourage millions of farmers in the State to go into Mechanized farming. 

Mr Akinajo stressed that the cost of getting and hiring tractors and other farm inputs is beyond the reach of most farmers hence they appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to come to the aid of farmers.

While lending his voice to the matter, Mr Seyi Adisa, Afijio state constituency, enjoined the Local Government Councils in the State to extend all necessary support to farmers in their various communities.

Mosope Kehinde

Agriculture

Farmers and value chain actors in rice growing and processing have appealed to government at all levels to make agro inputs particularly quality seed, fertilizer and loan accessible to them to boost their productivity. 

Those who made the appeal while speaking with Radio Nigeria correspondent in Abeokuta on the South West’s potential for massive rice cultivation, maintained that the measures would enhance the region’s effort to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of the commodity.

Olusegun Folarin brings the details.

https://radionigeriaibadan.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/RICE-CULTIVATION-SW.mp3

Olusegun Folarin

Security

The Yoruba Socio-cultural group, Afenifere wants governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to increase the tempo of beefing up security across Ondo State
A leader of the group in Ondo State , Bashorun Sehinde Arogbofa gave the advice when he led members on a courtesy visit to governor Akeredolu in Akure.
Bashorun Arogbofa appreciated Governor Akeredolu for the introduction of Amotekun security outfit arguing that government could hardly succeed without the security of lives and property of the citizens.
He described Amotekun as a forerunner of the state police and encouraged Governor Akeredolu to keep the flag flying.
In a bid to end frequent clashes between Herders and farmers, the Afenifere leader called for domestication of cattle ranching as obtainable in Akunnu and Auga settlements in the state.
Responding, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who appreciated the roles played by the group in the creation of Ondo State described the security of citizens as number one responsibility of every government
Governor Akeredolu however suggested modern equipment to enhance Amotekun operation as well as a multi-level policing to tackle upsurge of criminality in recent times
The governor who also believed in restructuring promised to engage more hands in security saying the region would continue to remain as Nigeria while pressing on its inalienable rights.
Olorunferanmi Odofin

Security

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has appealed to
the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO to profer timely solution to herders and farmers clashes
Governor Akeredolu made this appeal while playing host to the management team of FAO in Akure, the Ondo State capital
Governor Akeredolu decried frequent clashes between farmers and herdsmen noting that farmers were no longer ready for their livelihoods.
The governor who opined that if not handled on time, the situation might degenerate to food insecurity
On the deforestation and climate change, the governor also requested the organization’s inputs to save the farming system
Earlier, the FAO country’s representative, Mr Fred Kafeero had hinged the visit on how to strengthen the state’s agricultural framework for food sufficiency
Mr Kafeero expressed the FAO readiness to assist the state in the areas of finance, humanitarian and climate change adding that efforts were on to end clashes among herders, farmers and fishers through water accessibility.
Olorunferanmi Odofin

Agriculture

Residents and those farming at Bolorunduro, one of the areas affected by the construction of Airport in Ado-Ekiti are currently protesting against the planned clearing of their farmlands by the state Government.

According to the protesters, government brought tractors yesterday to start clearing their farmlands containing various crops without prior notice.

They appealed to the state government to give them more time to allow their crop plantations to germinate and ripe for harvest before the lands were cleared.

Meanwhile, Ekiti state government will today begin payment of compensation to farmers whose airport construction. will be affected by the project.

Details later.

Adeniyi Alade