The government of Oyo state has commenced the third phase of agricultural input distribution to farmers in the state, targeted at supporting livestock farmers. In this phase, 1,000 pig farmers across the state received two bags of 50kg of feed and two bottles of disinfectant each.
The phase will also witness the vaccination of at least 120,000 cattle against anthrax and CBPP (Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia), and another 250,000 cattle, goats, and sheep will also receive vaccination provided by the state government.
Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development and chairman of the SAfER Food Security Sub-Committee, made this announcement yesterday at the flag-off of the third phase of the farm inputs distribution to farmers in Ajaawa, Ogo Oluwa Local Government of Oyo state.
The Commissioner explained that this is a continuation of measures introduced by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative to cushion the effect of economic hardship on residents of the state.
He said, “We are flagging off the third phase of SAfER interventions for the food security sub-sector with the distribution of feeds and disinfectants to pig farmers across Oyo State.
“Here, 1,000 livestock farmers will benefit from the distribution we are doing at the moment. They will get two bags of 50kg of PKC each with two bottles of disinfectant.
“120,000 cattle will also be vaccinated with anthrax vaccine and CBPP Vaccine. An additional 250,000 cattle across the state will also benefit from free vaccination of anthrax vaccine. We are going to give out two bags of 50kg wheat offal feeds each to 1,000 sheep and goat farmers as well.
“This is just the beginning of the program, and it will go across all the local government areas we have in the state.”
He mentioned that many poultry and fishery farmers in the state have benefited from the previous phases of the input distribution program.
He commended the state governor for investing in agricultural programs such as the SAfER program, which will help to support small and medium-scale farmers in various sectors, including crops, poultry, fishery, and livestock.
The commissioner also announced that the SAfER initiative will feature the distribution of agricultural inputs such as seeds, cassava cuttings, herbicides, and knapsack sprayers to crop farmers across the state. He emphasized that the program aims to lower the cost of food in Oyo State and expressed confidence that prices of goods and food would decrease by the next harvest season.
“This is part of the SAfER initiative introduced by Governor Makinde,” he said. “In the next few days, we will proceed to the stage of giving seeds, cassava cuttings, herbicides, and knapsack sprayers to crop farmers across the state.”
“The programme is aimed at reducing the cost of food in Oyo State and I want to assure you that by the next harvest season, you will see that prices of goods and food would have gone down,” he added.
Olaleye highlighted that the governor recently pronounced a N600 million subsidy on land clearing to support farmers in the state. This will reduce the cost for farmers, who will now pay only N15,000 per hectare instead of the previous N30,000 charge.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the governor had also waived tax payments on transporting farm produce within the state.
The commissioner urged farmers to demonstrate loyalty to the government by considering the support they have received when pricing food items in the coming months.
“I would like to urge the farmers to demonstrate loyalty to the government and to also support our people. If they are getting free things from the government, they should also ensure they reduce the prices of goods in a corresponding manner as well,” he remarked.
He added, “Don’t forget that the government has given out 400kg of maize to 2,600 poultry farmers, and we have given out to 1,000 fish farmers as well.
“The governor has said that for the next six months, no farmer should pay tax on farm produce in the state. He has promised to support farmers with 50 percent payment on the tractor used on their farmlands.
“We have also given out a N1 billion loan to farmers, and the government is ready to do more for the farmers in the state.”
