Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has announced a series of measures aimed at tackling the increasing cost of food in the state. The governor declared that his government is committed to making life easier for residents and will subsidise land clearing for farmers with an initial investment of N600 million. This means that farmers will now only have to pay N15,000 for land clearing, instead of the previous cost of N30,000, with the government covering the remaining balance.
In addition, Makinde has suspended revenue collection on agricultural produce marketed within the state for the next six months. However, exports of agricultural goods outside of Oyo State will still be subject to necessary taxation.
During a meeting with stakeholders in the agricultural sector, Makinde also pledged to provide tractors and haulage trucks to farmers, among other measures. The governor highlighted that N1 billion has already been distributed to smallholder farmers through the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) program. He further announced that the Agriculture Credit Corporation of Oyo State (ACCOS) will no longer require a civil servant as a guarantor for loans, and instead, farm associations will be able to vouch for their members’ eligibility.
The meeting, which included representatives from various agricultural sectors and government officials, aimed to address the food security challenge faced by the state. Makinde acknowledged the progress made in food production but emphasized that the price of food is still increasing. He assured the stakeholders that the government would continue to implement strategies to reduce the rising cost of food.
Makinde stated, “Our meeting here is not just a discussion but an opportunity to find solutions. I expect you to share your views so that together we can tackle the challenges we are facing.” He also emphasized the importance of the committee established to monitor the decisions made during the meeting and track progress.
The governor acknowledged the concerns raised by stakeholders, including the lack of agricultural extension services and the high cost of produce haulage. He assured them that the Pacesetter Transport Services would be supported to have a fleet of vehicles dedicated to transporting farm produce across the state.
Makinde concluded by addressing the issue of visibility of agriculture extension workers, stating that efforts would be made to ensure their impact in food production. He mentioned that if necessary, the extension workers would be moved to the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) to increase their visibility and contributions to the sector.
With these measures in place, Governor Makinde aims to alleviate the burden of rising food prices and promote food security in Oyo State.
