By Oluwatoyin Adegoke
More than two thousand farmers drawn from seventy five farmers’ clusters across Ogun State have benefited from the Federal Government’s distribution of farm inputs, to enhance productivity and improve yields.
Items distributed to the beneficiaries include; improved seeds, power tillers, herbicides, liquid fertilisers, knapsack sprayers and water pumps.
At the distribution held at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Kotopo, Abeokuta, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the intervention targeted small holder farmers nationwide with a view to boosting agricultural output, reducing production costs and ensuring steady food supply.
The Minister, represented by the Director of Extension Services in the Ministry, Mr Olawunmi Ayodele, affirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with non-governmental organisations and the private sector as part of efforts to drive economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty.
In a remark, Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Bolu Owootomo, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, advised the beneficiaries to utilize the inputs judiciously to ensure sustainable impact on the nation’s economy.
Also, the Ogun State Coordinator, Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative Organisation, Pastor Olatunji Abogunrin as well as the State Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Alhaja Ganiyat Kushimo applauded the initiative and promised to ensure proper utilisation of the inputs.
Earlier, the State Ogun State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Johnson Sotayo who described, had explained that the distribution was designed to enhance productivity and ensure sustainable food supply throughout the year.
Beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the support and called for the sustenance of the programme for greater national impact.
