How Makinde’s agriculture policies brought about innovations, food security in Oyo — Commissioner
Oyo State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, has affirmed that Governor Seyi Makinde’s policies under the Omituntun 2.0 agenda have significantly transformed the agricultural landscape, positioning the state as a hub of innovation, food security, and rural economic growth.
Speaking during the inter-ministerial press briefing to mark the second anniversary of the administration’s current term, Olaleye credited the gains to a combination of technical services, infrastructure expansion, and human capital development. Notable initiatives include:
- The Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub, now a model for other states and development partners such as the AfDB.
- Establishment of nine Farm Service Centres and renovation of eight key agricultural facilities statewide.
- Vaccination of over 95,000 cattle to prevent livestock diseases, supported by a regulatory upgrade that includes new standards for poultry processors and hatcheries.
- Construction of 87.53 kilometres of rural roads across LGAs to ease access to farms and markets.
- Mechanised support through the Tractorisation Subsidy Programme, which ploughed over 13,000 acres for 2,827 farmers in 2025.
- Extensive input distribution (cassava stems, maize seeds, pesticides, feed supplements) and microloans to 3,501 smallholder farmers.
- Capacity building for over 3,800 stakeholders, including training through the Oyo-IITA Youth Agribusiness Incubation Centre in Aawe.
Governor Makinde’s administration, through the Ministry, has blended regulatory reform, climate-smart agriculture, mechanisation, and inclusive support for livestock and crop farmers, positioning Oyo as a national leader in agricultural transformation.
Source- Tribune Online
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The results reported by Oyo State’s Ministry of Agriculture are not just celebratory figures — they reflect the successful execution of a systems-level approach to agricultural transformation. Here are key takeaways for agri-food stakeholders:
- Agro-Industrial Hubs Are Working
The success of Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub shows that strategic clustering of agro-enterprises can unlock investment, drive innovation, and serve as rural growth poles. The hub’s recognition by international actors like AfDB underscores its replicability. - Mechanisation Must Be Paired with Affordability
By subsidising tractor access for over 2,800 farmers and ploughing 13,000+ acres, Oyo State demonstrates that mechanisation can be scaled when financing models meet farmers where they are. - Infrastructure + Input = Rural Resilience
Farm-to-market roads, livestock vaccinations, and farm inputs are interconnected investments. By combining these, Oyo is reducing post-harvest losses, increasing yields, and enhancing food system resilience. - Youth and MSME Inclusion Is Not Rhetoric
With targeted support to youth and rural farmers via incubation centres, land access, and microloans, Oyo is not only solving short-term productivity issues but also laying the groundwork for future agribusiness leaders. - Data-Driven Policy + Regulatory Reforms = Investor Confidence
The rollout of standards for hatcheries, poultry, and livestock trading offers an enabling environment for scale, safety, and investment. These are critical for meeting domestic and export market requirements.
Conclusion
Oyo State is proving that state-level agriculture policy, when anchored on data, infrastructure, partnerships, and people, can deliver national-level impact. As Nigeria pushes for diversification and food sovereignty, this model provides a playbook for other subnationals seeking to catalyse inclusive agribusiness-led growth.
