Yetunde Ajetunmobi
In an effort to boost food production and ensure its security, Osun State Ministry of Agriculture has sought for the collaboration of Local Governments across the State.
At a meeting with all the Local Government Chairmen in Osun State, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Tola Faseru said the collaboration becomes necessary because of the unique nature of all LGs.
He said his Ministry needs the support of the Local Government Administration in line with the present administrations determination to banish hunger in the State.
While announcing that the administration of Senator Ademola Adeleke has rolled out several programmes with the aim of improving food sufficiency, the Commissioner added that the impact of the grassroots in the project can not be overemphasised.
He expressed the need for them to support farming, noting that, theyare vital in agricultural productivity.
The Commissioner at the meeting annouced that farm inputs which include fertilizers, cassava stems, cashew, viable and qualitative seeds and seedlings have been procured and will be supplied to interested farmers and youths free of charge.
Hon. Faseru who used the occasion to encourage youths into farming, said they are to be incorporated into the various programs of the present administration so as to be able to feed themselves and change their mindsets towards agriculture.
In his own remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Olaniran Atidade tasked them to cooperate with the state government to ensure massive food production in the state.
Speaking, ALGON Secretary, Mr Lukman Afolabi, who commended the present administration for the efforts taken to ensure food sufficiency, encouraged government to focus more on short- term products such as cassava ,maize, tomato and pepper.
He also advised that the fertilizers and other important inputs be channelled through ALGON to be able to ensure effective distribution to the farmers.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security,Mr Moruf Olawal solicited the support of all the local government administrators to ensure that crop plants are not destroyed by goats, sheep and cows.
