Makinde’s Agricultural Revolution: Extension Officers, Veterinary Doctors Recruited, Seed Committee Launched

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the recruitment of agricultural extension officers and veterinary doctors across the state’s 33 local government areas, signaling a significant move towards enhancing agricultural productivity and rural development.

The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, made this announcement during the inauguration of the Oyo State Seed Coordinating Committee at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. This development was confirmed in a press release signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, on October 15, 2024.

Governor Makinde highlighted the critical role agriculture plays in driving economic growth, alleviating poverty, and ensuring food security for the residents of Oyo State. He also announced the establishment of model farm service centers across the state’s zones and the provision of motorcycles for extension officers to ensure efficient service delivery in the agricultural sector.

As part of his administration’s commitment to improving the agricultural landscape, Governor Makinde noted that several initiatives had been implemented under the **Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER)** program. Launched in response to the impact of subsidy removal on petroleum products, SAfER has provided farmers with essential resources, including poultry, fish, piggery, and livestock feeds, disinfectants, insecticides, cassava stems, fertilizers, and knapsack sprayers. Additionally, the program has vaccinated cattle across the state to protect against anthrax outbreaks.

The Governor’s administration has also made N1 billion in soft agricultural loans available to farmers and has facilitated a 50% tractorisation subsidy. More than 1,000 farmers have benefited from this subsidy, with over 6,000 acres of land ploughed. The initiative is set to continue in February 2025, targeting the ploughing of 16,000 acres of land for the new farming season.

Speaking on the resuscitation of the Oyo State Seed Coordinating Committee, Barr. Olaleye explained that the committee’s primary objective is to revitalize agricultural productivity by providing farmers with high-quality seeds, relevant information, and modern technologies. This will ultimately boost food production and enhance the livelihoods of farmers across the state. The commissioner tasked the committee members to ensure increased food production and agricultural yields, emphasizing the committee’s role in bringing critical information and innovations to rural farmers through extension officers.

“The Governor has graciously approved this committee to oversee seed multiplication across crop cultivation, livestock farming, agro-allied ventures, and other agricultural activities,” Olaleye said. “The goal is to provide farmers with certified seeds and inputs, while also increasing the availability of farm machinery through public-private partnerships. Each member of this committee was selected for their expertise and dedication, and your role is vital to improving agricultural outputs and ensuring food security in the state.”

He further encouraged the committee to collaborate with relevant agencies and private sector partners to achieve their objectives.

In his goodwill message, Honourable Peter Ojedokun, Chairman of the Oyo State House Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, commended Governor Makinde for his continued support of the agricultural sector. Ojedokun, who represents the Ibarapa North/Central State Constituency, noted that the administration’s commitment to farmers has been instrumental in driving agricultural progress in the state.

Similarly, Mr Adewumi Abbas, Chairman of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Oyo State chapter, and Chief Akande Moshood, representative of the Baale Agbe in Oyo State, praised the Governor for his unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of farmers through numerous support programs.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Christiana Abioye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that the newly inaugurated committee comprises key stakeholders in the seed industry. The committee’s mandate is to assess the state’s annual seed requirements, coordinate effective seed distribution, and provide other necessary inputs to farmers in a timely manner.