Osun Governor Reveals Agricultural Sector Plans and ProgressOsun Governor Reveals Agricultural Sector Plans and Progress Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has outlined his administration’s plans for the agriculture sector, emphasizing its commitment to addressing food security, agricultural inputs, and mechanization. Speaking after a meeting with a Scandinavian company interested in establishing a tractor assembly plant in Osun, Governor Adeleke stated that his administration has a comprehensive plan for the sector and is ready for implementation. Infrastructure Focus He emphasized the importance of infrastructure development as a foundation for a thriving agricultural sector. By building roads and bridges, the government has improved connectivity between rural and urban areas, facilitating the transportation and marketing of agricultural produce. Implementation Committee To implement recommendations from the Food Security Committee, Governor Adeleke has established an implementation committee chaired by his Special Adviser on Agriculture, Hon. Olaniran Akanfe. The committee will oversee the execution of various programs. Osun Young Agropreneurs Incubation Programme The government will launch the Osun Young Agropreneurs Incubation Programme, targeting thousands of young farmers and agropreneurs. The program involves providing land, inputs, guaranteed offtake, and training in modern farming techniques. Tractorization and Fertilizer Distribution Governor Adeleke announced the purchase of tractors and the ongoing negotiation of a lease agreement with a tractor rental organization. Additionally, the government has secured federal partnership for fertilizer distribution, which will commence soon. Planting Agriculture The government is promoting plantation agriculture by growing seedlings in various crop sectors, including cashew nuts and cocoa. Efforts are also underway to revive the cocoa industry and support agro-processing through public-private partnerships. Investment Welcome Governor Adeleke expressed interest in the Scandinavian company’s proposal to establish a tractor assembly plant in Osun, welcoming investment and partnership in the agricultural sector. He instructed the Commissioner for Agriculture to further discuss the matter with the company’s representative.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has opened up on his administration’s plans for the agriculture sector and assured stakeholders that agricultural inputs, tractors and the issue of food security are being addressed by his administration.
Speaking on Friday evening after a meeting with a Scandinavian company interested in setting up a tractor assembly plant in Osun, the state governor said his plan for the agricultural sector is robust and comprehensive, adding that “the state is now is ready for the implementation of various programs in the sector.
“We take agriculture very seriously. Our government decided to focus first on closing the infrastructure gap to strengthen connectivity between rural and urban areas. We first focused on building roads and bridges as a prerequisite for strengthening the agricultural sector in terms of transport and market connections.
“Now that we have made tremendous progress in the infrastructure sector, we are now rolling out specific programmes for the agricultural sector. On the advice of our food security committee, I have set up an implementation committee.
“The committee chaired by my Special Adviser on Agriculture, Hon Olaniran Akanfe, is mandated to implement the suggestions and proposals contained in the report of the Food Committee. Other members of the committee are Olusola Omole, Dr. Alaba Towoju, Dr. Olu Olajide, Hon Moshood Yakub, Hon Alexander Kehinde Oloke, Adelowo Adekunle Saburi, Kolade Tunde (TISKO), Engr. Badmus Bukola Mikail, Engr. Olaleye Fakayode and Mr Tola Obembe. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture will serve as Secretary of the Committee, while the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Tola Faseru, will serve as the General Coordinator.
“As we ramp up the implementation of the Food Security Committee, our government will launch the Osun Young Agropreneurs Incubation Programme, which will target thousands of young farmers and agropreneurs in the agricultural value chain.
“The programme includes a minimum of 1000 hectares of land per local government; provision of land development and tractorisation; availability of inputs; guaranteed offtake; full season irrigated agriculture; integration of hydroponic farming; integration of precision agriculture and emphasis on gender balance and inclusivity.
“My Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Faseru, will chair the Action Committee which will comprise representatives from ALGON and traditional institutions among others. Other members of the Action Committee include the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands; Surveyor General of the State; Director of Agricultural Services in the Ministry of Agriculture; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth; President, Osun Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr Adegoke Taiwo Kamal; , a representative of the agricultural machinery leaser, Engr Olaleye Fakayide, Hon Hezekiah Olabamiji Oladele (HOB), Engineer Dipo Onibonoje and Chief Bola Orolugbagbe.
“I have also directed the Commissioner to organise a meeting with real farmers in our various farmlands in the state. The Commissioner will meet real farmers to strengthen our partnership as we launch various programmes within the sector.
“I am pleased to announce that the federal partnership on fertilizers has delivered positive results. We will start distributing fertilizers to our farmers as soon as possible.
“As far as tractorization is concerned, this is another good news. The state has purchased a number of tractors, while the commissioner has been instructed to negotiate a lease agreement with the tractor rental organization. We are also repairing existing tractors.
“Our government therefore intends to receive your company with as much interest as setting up a tractor assembly plant. We warmly welcome your initiative. The Commissioner for Agriculture will meet with your representative and discuss further.
“For those who are into plantation agriculture, we grow seedlings in all crop sectors. We start with cashew nuts and cocoa.
“More importantly, our government is working to revive the cocoa industry and support agro-processing through public-private partnership. We welcome investors and partners in this crucial sector,” Governor Adeleke was quoted as saying.
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