Oyo begins fertiliser distribution to 10,500 farmers

On Tuesday, the Oyo State Government, with Federal support, began distributing 21,000 bags of assorted fertilizers to over 10,500 farmers. The event at the OYSADA Warehouse in Oyo town highlighted Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to boosting food production and the state’s economy.
State Commissioner for Agriculture, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, emphasized that this initiative aims to improve crop productivity, enhance food security, and increase rural incomes. The government also provided maize and soybean seeds, knapsack sprayers, and agrochemicals to help farmers.
Kakulu Omonele from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, represented by Bilkis Abdulateef, noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria donated 100,000 metric tonnes (2 million bags) of fertilizer to address the national food crisis. President Bola Tinubu directed this fertilizer to be allocated to states for farmer distribution.
The state’s swift distribution was praised, with 250 farmers from Akinyele Local Government Area receiving two bags each to boost their production.
Source: Punch

Our Review
The recent initiative by the Oyo State Government, supported by the Federal Government, to distribute 21,000 bags of assorted fertilizers to over 10,500 farmers signifies a significant boost to the agricultural value chain in the region. This effort, along with the provision of maize and soybean seeds, knapsack sprayers, and agrochemicals, directly enhances crop productivity, leading to improved food security and increased rural incomes. By targeting inputs to local farmers, the program addresses immediate agricultural needs, ensuring timely planting and efficient crop management.

This initiative will have positive impact on the value chain, farmers will benefit from higher yields, which can lead to more produce for local markets and potential surpluses for export. This, in turn, supports agro-processing industries, stimulates local economies, and creates employment opportunities. The collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, which donated 2 million bags of fertilizer, demonstrates a concerted effort to tackle the national food crisis, promoting sustainability and resilience in the agricultural sector.