The Osun State Government has awarded N8.6 million cheques to selected poultry farmers as part of its commitment to boosting agricultural productivity. The beneficiaries are participants in the Osun Broiler Outgrower Production Scheme (OBOPS), each tasked with raising 2,000 day-old broiler birds to table size within six weeks, with continuous cycles planned.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Otunba ‘Tola Faseru, during an event in Ede that also featured the unveiling of tractors and the distribution of farm inputs to farmers. Faseru emphasized the state’s dedication to supporting food processing farmers by providing essential agricultural assets such as maize shellers, palm kernel crackers, smoking kilns, poultry cages, and pens, to encourage value addition.
Commissioner Faseru also highlighted that the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke has purchased tractors with implements, which will be distributed under public-private partnerships to various groups, including farmers’ associations, youth, women, and People Living with Disabilities (PWDs), to facilitate farm operations.
“This initiative will significantly reduce the labor-intensive nature of food crop production and alter the perception that agribusiness is tedious and unprofitable,” Faseru stated. He added that additional tractors and implements are expected, with the goal of ensuring sufficient pre- and post-planting equipment to secure Osun’s position as a leading food-producing state.
Governor Adeleke’s commitment to improving food security was lauded, with Faseru noting the administration’s approval for purchasing and distributing agricultural inputs statewide. These inputs include herbicides, cashew seedlings, cassava cuttings, vegetable seeds, and lime, all of which will be provided to farmers at no cost. Furthermore, starting September 2024, all primary and secondary schools will receive vegetable and arable seeds for planting, integrating them into the food security value chain.
Faseru acknowledged the Federal Government’s support in supplying various fertilizers, including NPK and Urea, and mentioned that the state has supplemented these with organic fertilizers for distribution. He also highlighted plans to enhance collaboration with the Federal Government on the National Agricultural Land Clearing Programme and other initiatives to achieve food security and create employment.
The Commissioner pointed out that Osun State’s major arable crops include maize, cassava, rice, and cowpea, while tree crops such as cocoa, oil palm, and cashew also thrive. However, the rain-fed nature of agriculture in the state exposes crops to weather unpredictability and moisture stress. Recent climate change effects have led to delayed planting seasons and interrupted rainfall patterns, impacting crop yields.
In response, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security plans to allocate a significant portion of the 2025 budget to irrigation projects, aiming to mitigate these challenges and ensure stable agricultural production.
