Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has unveiled plans to establish large-scale Farmers’ Markets across the state to eliminate middlemen and ensure fair pricing for agricultural produce.
During an inspection of the ongoing Farmers’ Market project in Asero, Abeokuta, Abiodun condemned the role of intermediaries in driving up food costs.
He emphasized that the initiative would give farmers direct access to consumers, reducing exploitation and making food more affordable.
“This is just the beginning. We’re setting up these markets in multiple locations, and Asero is one of the smallest. Our goal is to build even bigger markets that will transform how food is bought and sold in Ogun State,” he stated.
Abiodun also revealed plans to replicate one of the world’s largest Farmers’ Markets, which he recently visited in France.
The proposed central hub, likely to be situated along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, will serve as a major trading point for farm produce.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to supporting farmers, he highlighted Ogun’s pioneering Farmers’ Management Information System, which provides real-time data on farmers, their crops, and production capacity.
This, he said, would enable targeted interventions, including land preparation, input distribution, and financial support.
Farmers at the Asero market, including Mrs. Soleye Sherifat, Mr. Oladunni Solomon, and Mrs. Akinbobola Oluwatobi, welcomed the initiative, noting that direct access to buyers would boost their income and eliminate undue losses to middlemen.
