The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), on Tuesday expanded his farmers’ empowerment initiative, providing modern agricultural equipment, farm inputs and cash grants to 2,557 additional farmers in a move aimed at boosting food production and strengthening food security.
The beneficiaries received the support in Ilaro during the second phase of the YAYI Farmers’ Empowerment Programme under the Renewed Hope Agriculture Initiative for Food Security.
The latest intervention has increased the total number of beneficiaries under the scheme to 8,467, following the 5,910 farmers who benefited during the maiden edition of the programme.
The empowerment package featured a wide range of modern farming equipment and inputs designed to improve productivity and reduce the burden of rising production costs on farmers.
Among the items distributed were 10 tractors with complete attachments to support mechanised farming, 250 haulage tricycles for transporting farm produce, 1,500 knapsack sprayers, 8,000 bags of NPK and urea fertilisers, 1,000 solar- and petrol-powered water pumps, 1,000 seed planters and 17 power tillers.
The beneficiaries also received improved seedlings and high-yield seeds, organic liquid fertilisers, agricultural enzymes, pesticides and other farm implements.
To complement the equipment and inputs, each beneficiary was presented with a ?100,000 cash grant to support cultivation and other farming activities.
Addressing farmers, traditional rulers, party leaders and other stakeholders at the event, Adeola said agriculture remains the backbone of economic development and a critical sector for achieving sustainable growth and national stability.
He noted that despite the enormous potential of the sector, many farmers continue to grapple with escalating production costs, inadequate financing, poor access to mechanised equipment and declining productivity.
According to him, the intervention was carefully designed to address these challenges by equipping farmers with the resources needed to expand cultivation, improve yields and increase their earnings.
‘Our farmers remain critical to our survival and national development because without food security, sustainable growth and human wellbeing cannot be achieved,’ he said.
Adeola added, ‘This second edition of our farmers’ empowerment programme is designed to equip beneficiaries with the tools, resources and financial support they need to increase productivity, improve their incomes and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s food security objectives.
‘We believe that when farmers are adequately supported, they will produce more, earn better incomes, create jobs and contribute significantly to the economy. Our goal is to ensure that no willing farmer is left behind in the quest to guarantee food sufficiency.’
The senator explained that unlike many intervention programmes where equipment is abandoned after distribution, a structured management framework had been established to guarantee sustainability.
He said a central management team made up of experienced farmers and cluster leaders would supervise the operation, maintenance and equitable use of shared agricultural equipment across farming clusters.
According to him, the arrangement will ensure that the machines are properly maintained, remain accessible to beneficiaries and continue to deliver value over the long term.
Adeola reiterated his commitment to making agriculture one of the major drivers of economic prosperity in Ogun State through policies that encourage mechanised farming, youth participation in agriculture, improved access to finance and enhanced value-chain development.
He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the equipment and financial support, stressing that the programme was intended to improve livelihoods, create wealth and guarantee food security for the state and the nation.
The event attracted a large turnout of party faithful, farmers, community leaders and traditional rulers from different parts of Ogun State.
Among the dignitaries present were the APC deputy governorship candidate, Alhaja Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa-Balogun; former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Salmot Badru; Chief (Mrs.) Temitope Adeola; APC Ogun West Senatorial Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Ekweme and former Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele.
Also at the event were APC Ogun West Senatorial candidate, Hon. Jimoh Ojugbele; APC House of Representatives candidate for Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency, Seriki Bashorun; Hon. Muftau Ajibola; Chief Olu Agemo; Hon. Bisiriyu Popoola, as well as other political leaders, agricultural stakeholders and hundreds of beneficiaries.