Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the recruitment of agricultural extension officers and veterinary doctors to boost the agricultural sector in the state.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during the inauguration of the State Seed Coordinating Committee at the House of Chiefs, located in the House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
In a statement from his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Governor Makinde said that the recruitment exercise would cover all 33 Local Government Areas of the state. This move is part of his administration’s plan to improve agriculture and food production in Oyo State.
Representing the governor at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olaleye Olasunkanmi, said that agriculture is key to the state’s economic growth, poverty reduction, and ensuring food security.
“We recognise the importance of agriculture in driving economic growth, reducing poverty, and boosting food production for the well-being of our people,” Makinde said.
He also announced the creation of model farm service centres in different zones across the state and the purchase of motorcycles for extension officers to help them reach farmers and improve agricultural practices.
The governor highlighted that his administration had already provided N1 billion in soft agricultural loans to support farmers in the state. Over 1,000 farmers have also benefitted from a 50% subsidy on tractor services, which helped plough more than 6,000 acres of farmland. The subsidy program will continue in February 2025, targeting 16,000 acres of land for the next farming season.
Governor Makinde also spoke on the revitalization of the State Seed Coordinating Committee, which aims to improve agricultural productivity by ensuring farmers have access to high-quality seeds and advanced farming technologies. He urged the committee members to work hard to increase food production and improve the livelihood of farmers.
“The new committee will cover areas such as seed multiplication, crop cultivation, livestock farming, and agro-allied activities to ensure that we produce quality certified seeds and inputs for our farmers,” Makinde added.
The Chairman of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria in Oyo State, Adewumi Abbas, and the representative of Baale Agbe, Akande Moshood, praised the governor for his continued support of farmers through various programs.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Christiana Abioye, noted that the committee, which includes key stakeholders in the seed industry, will help plan and distribute seeds and other agricultural inputs to farmers across the state.
