By Bianca Iboma
The Director of Agriculture in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Mr. Oduwole Fateru, has lauded Governor Ibikunle Amosun for giving agriculture priority in the state.
Fateru disclosed this during a media chat with the Sagamu Zonal Information Officer (ZIO), Mrs. Iyabo Araba, and members of Farmers Association of Nigeria (FAN), Sagamu branch, in his office.
He said the governor has endorsed documents containing all policies needed to make agriculture viable in the state, adding that, “it has become necessary for its citizenry to implement the various policies on agriculture and the trained personnel to take up their responsibilities.’’
According to him, the state governor has shown commitment towards the development of the state’s agricultural sector. He said that policies and interventions are needed in place for the state to have self-sufficiency and become a major hub of agricultural farm produce.
He added that times are hard and there is severe shortage of food owing to the fact that Nigeria imports a large part of what it consumes, adding that the new policy in place would ensure that the state has sufficient food production and improved rate of employment generation for youths.
Fateru stated that the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) organised by the state government in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was another step being taken by the Amosun-led administration to improve agricultural production and reduce unemployment.
He advised beneficiaries to continue to support the present administration in its mission to revamp the agricultural sector and ensure food sufficiency in the state.
He stressed that the state government had organised various laudable programmes to improve the agricultural sector. According him, the just concluded youth convention, resuscitation of farm settlements, procurement of tractors, provision of improved seedlings and seeking permission to access Federal Government fertiliser, among others, were all geared towards improving the agricultural sector with a view to better the lot of the people of the state.
He admonished them to take advantage of the programme to earn a living instead of venturing in non-profitable business, seeking for white collar jobs or roaming the streets “as an idle hand is the devil’s workshop”.
Fateru enjoined farmers to begin the process of land irrigation in earnest by clearing the bushes as well as making heaps due to the dynamics of the weather, especially farmers of food crops such as cassava, maize and leguminous fruits, among others, unlike cash crops which are not time bound.
He also advised livestock farmers to start breeding broilers, cockerel and layers for the Easter and Id-el-fitri celebrations, which are few months away.
A poultry farmer, Mr. Folorunso Awosanya, appreciated the government for giving agriculture priority in its cardinal programmes, urging youths to key into the vision of the present administration by engaging in agriculture to further boost food security in the state.
He acknowledged government’s strides in the sector, pledging continued support of youths and farmers towards the actualisation of various government’s policies and programmes on the agricultural sector.