ABEOKUTA — The Ogun State Chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has commended the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for unveiling a comprehensive agricultural support package for 10,000 rice and cassava farmers across the state.
The association also acknowledged the contributions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to agricultural development in the country and called on the people of Ogun State to support Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, in his 2027 governorship ambition.
The commendation followed Governor Abiodun’s announcement of the support package during the 2026 World Food Day celebration held on Friday at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.
The package includes 10 tractors, 1,200 Android phones, fertilisers, herbicides and improved cassava planting materials aimed at boosting food production, empowering farmers and strengthening food security in the state.
Speaking with journalists at the event, the State Chairman of AFAN, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Obafolahun Nuhu Podo, described the World Food Day celebration as an impressive and remarkable occasion, noting that farmers were excited to come together to celebrate their contributions to food production and showcase their farm produce.
He attributed the large turnout of farmers to the agricultural policies and programmes of the Abiodun administration, which he said had continued to encourage farmers across the state.
“The World Food Day celebration is an amazing one because all the farmers are happy to come together to celebrate and showcase their farm produce and products.
“The good work our governor has done in agriculture is what encouraged farmers to come out in their thousands. The governor of Ogun State has done so well in the agricultural sector, and we appreciate the efforts of his administration,” he said.
Podo also commended the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, for what he described as his cordial relationship with farmers across the state since the beginning of the present administration.
He said the commissioner had demonstrated commitment to understanding the challenges confronting farmers and working with them to improve agricultural production.
The AFAN chairman further expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as the Federal Government’s increasing support for farmers through the provision of farm inputs, fertilisers, tractors and other agricultural interventions.
According to him, the Federal Government’s agricultural programmes had encouraged more people to embrace farming and boosted farmers’ confidence in the sector.
“Our father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a friend of farmers. The wisdom he applies in governing the country touches different sectors, especially agriculture.
“He has really helped people in farming through various forms of support, including farm inputs, fertilisers and tractors,” he said.
Podo disclosed that the Ogun State chapter of AFAN had benefited from various Federal Government agricultural programmes, particularly the recent distribution of fertiliser to farmers across the state.
He noted that the fertiliser intervention was distributed to farmers in all 20 local government areas of Ogun State at no cost to the beneficiaries, describing the initiative as a major boost to agricultural production.
He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his continued support for farmers and agricultural development.
The AFAN chairman also acknowledged the contributions of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola to farmers and urged residents of Ogun State to support his governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 election.
Meanwhile, Governor Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a profitable and technology-driven sector capable of generating employment, attracting investment and strengthening Ogun State’s contribution to Nigeria’s food security.
He said the government had established the Ogun State Agricultural Land Management Agency (OSALMA) to facilitate access to land and promote a responsible and inclusive framework for large-scale agricultural investments.
According to the governor, his administration had completed 28 agricultural projects over the preceding two years, covering crop production, aquaculture and poultry, with investments in processing, storage, mechanisation and other essential infrastructure.
The projects include solar dryers, warehouses, cassava processing centres and a poultry processing plant at Ajegunle Farm Settlement in Odeda Local Government Area.
Abiodun disclosed that the poultry processing facility had the capacity to process 5,000 birds daily, equivalent to approximately 1.3 million birds annually.
He further revealed that the state had procured 39 tractors, four self-propelled harvesters and other agricultural equipment to strengthen mechanisation and reduce the challenges associated with manual farming.
Highlighting the importance of technology in modernising agriculture, the governor said the Ogun State Farmer Information Management System, launched in April 2023, had registered more than 160,000 farmers and other actors across the agricultural value chain.
He explained that the platform supports evidence-based policymaking, improves the targeting of agricultural programmes and helps ensure that government interventions reach the intended beneficiaries.
The governor also disclosed that more than 200 young people had recently received training in soilless farming through a partnership with Soilless Farm Lab, with start-up support provided to enable them to establish their own agricultural businesses.
“Our goal is to process more locally, retain greater value and create more jobs. We seek partnerships that create jobs, transfer knowledge, empower farmers and develop local capacity,” Abiodun said.
He called on investors to explore opportunities in commercial farming, agro-processing, livestock production, aquaculture, mechanisation, irrigation, storage and cold-chain facilities.
The governor assured potential investors of the state government’s readiness to support responsible investments that create jobs, empower communities and promote rural development.
Abiodun also highlighted achievements under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), disclosing that agribusiness firms participating in the programme had purchased more than 283,000 tonnes of agricultural produce.
He added that farmers organised into clusters had received capacity-building support and connections to off-takers, helping them convert increased production into more dependable income.
The governor also acknowledged President Tinubu’s initiatives aimed at strengthening local fertiliser production and improving farmers’ access to agricultural inputs, as well as the contributions of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to programmes supporting women farmers.
He pledged that Ogun State would continue to complement Federal Government agricultural programmes through targeted assistance, private-sector partnerships and stronger market linkages.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, described World Food Day as a reminder that access to nutritious and affordable food was fundamental to human dignity and sustainable development.
He stressed the need for innovation to build a resilient food system, calling for increased investment in women and young people through improved access to land, finance, training, technology and viable agribusiness opportunities.
Owotomo disclosed that more than 12,000 farmers had benefited from training and agricultural inputs under OGSTEP.
He explained that the latest support package focused on three major areas: digital empowerment through Android phones, mechanisation through agricultural equipment, and subsidised farm inputs for 2,000 rice farmers and 8,000 cassava farmers.
According to the commissioner, beneficiaries would contribute 30 per cent of the cost of the supported inputs, depending on their category, while the government would cover the remaining 70 per cent through its partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
He said the arrangement was designed to make essential farm inputs more affordable while encouraging beneficiaries to participate actively in improving agricultural productivity.
Meanwhile, AFAN members from all 20 local government areas of Ogun State attended the celebration in large numbers, showcasing agricultural produce and livestock from their farms.
The exhibition reflected the diversity of agricultural activities undertaken by members of the association, comprising farmers engaged in crop production, livestock farming and other aspects of the agricultural value chain.
Their participation further highlighted the role of farmers’ associations and cooperatives in promoting food production, strengthening collaboration among farmers and supporting the sustainable development of the agricultural sector.
The celebration brought together farmers, government representatives and other stakeholders to showcase progress in agriculture and reinforce collective efforts towards building a more productive, sustainable and food-secure Ogun State.
