The State Government through Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) has taken another proactive step with the provision of water pumping machines and irrigation equipment to 100 farmers’ groups, as part of effort to support agricultural development, improve livelihood, and enhance food security.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony for the distribution of the machines to beneficiaries, at OGSTEP Training room , OPIC , Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo said the water pumping machines and irrigation equipment was to support farmers across the four agricultural zones in the state to ensure all season farming.
The Commissioner noted that the initiative was geared towards increasing crop yields, and productivity, adding that these would contribute to food security across the state, and the country at large.
Owotomo stressed that the state government before now had made significant interventions in the affairs of farmers in capacity building for 40,000 farmers, registration of 160,000 farmers under the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System (OGFIMS),12,000 farmers shared into clusters, 65% discount on land clearing, construction across all the eight farm settlements in the state among others.
He urged farmers to reciprocate government gesture ,as well as OGSTEP by making the best and effective use of the machines, calling on them to extend the benefit to others that are yet to get theirs by sharing the assets,and transferring of knowledge gained.
Contributing, Permanent Secretary, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, maintained that all government projects have positive impact in the sector, urging farmers to work assiduously and ensure the state is food secured.
Also speaking,the Project Coordinator,Mrs Mosunmola Owo – Odusi explained that the state government was interested in the upliftment of farmers,as food security remain essential for existence, explaining that OGSTEP was one of the instruments which government uses to support farmers.
Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries, Prince Usman Adekanbi from Ipokia, and Mrs Tosin Ogunkola from Ijebu Ode applauded the State Government and OGSTEP for the provision, assuring that what they have gotten would be judiciously utilised.
