SMATO hails Gov Makinde on his new intervention on agriculture in Oyo State

Member of House of Representatives, representing Ogooluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency, Hon. Ojo Sunday Makanjuola SMATO has hailed the Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, for his transformation of the state’s agriculture.

Smato, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Friendship Group to Pakistan, and Deputy Chairman House Committee on Solid Minerals, added that the Governor’s intervention has yielded positive results. 

In a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, the lawmaker noted that the governor’s recent distribution of 21,000 bags of fertiliser to 10,500 farmers at OYSADA Warehouse, Fertiliser Store, Laniya, Ojongbodu area in Oyo town, is evidence of his commitment to boosting the state’s economy and food production.

He underlined that the state government was dedicated to increasing agricultural productivity while setting farmers up for sustained growth and prosperity, emphasizing that the gift will promote crop productivity, enhance food security, and increase the income of rural farmers.

In order to guarantee farmers’ liquidity, he stated: “The state government provided over 3,000 farmers with an agric credit loan of N1 billion through the Oyo State Agricultural Credit Corporation as part of the Sustainable Actions for Economic Recovery (SAfER).

“And to enhance their farming business, qualified farmers might also obtain funding ranging from N250,000 to N1 million, contingent on the size of their farms. 

“Governor Makinde implemented a program to encourage young people to take up farming, in addition to providing various forms of support to seasoned farmers. 

“And as part of its ongoing efforts to improve food security, the state has established a thorough training program for young farmers in rural areas.”

Smato, who applauded the laudable initiative, stated that the scheme will boost food production in addition to addressing the problem of youth unemployment.

He claims that poultry farmers around the state, who received eight bags containing fifty kilogrammes of maize grain, have also benefited from the assistance of the Oyo State Government in addition to crop growers. 

“Similarly, 1,000 fish farmers throughout the state received three bags of fish feed, and 1,008 swine farmers received free distribution of 100 kg bags of palm-kernel cakes and two jars of Agrichlor disinfectants, all of which have increased their productivity and capacity.

“There have also been a statewide free vaccination of 250,000 sheep/goats and 120,000 cattle with application of anthrax and CBP vaccines, respectively. 

“During the vaccination, a total of 2,536 cattle, sheep and goat farmers also received two bags each of 50kg Brewers’ Dried Grains (BDG) and one block of salt”

While applauding the governor for his foresight through various interventions at ameliorating the suffering of Oyo citizens, he added that his administration is unprecedented in the history of Oyo State.