Abiodun Launches Support Package for 10,000 Farmers in Ogun State

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has launched a support package for 10,000 rice and cassava farmers. This package includes subsidised fertilisers, herbicides, and improved planting materials. The government is also distributing 10 tractors, other agricultural equipment, and 1,200 Android phones. This initiative aims to boost food production and improve food security in the state.

Abiodun made this announcement on Friday during the 2026 World Food Day celebration at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow.”

As part of the support, 2,000 rice farmers will get two bags of fertiliser and one bag of urea each. Meanwhile, 8,000 cassava farmers will receive the same amount of fertiliser and urea, along with 25 bundles of cassava stems each. Each rice farmer will also receive three litres of herbicides, while cassava farmers will get ten litres each.

The 1,200 Android phones will come with applications that provide weather updates, market prices, and farming tips. These tools aim to help farmers make better production choices and connect with agricultural markets.

The ten tractors and other equipment are meant to support farm settlements and farmers’ groups across Ogun State. This move is part of the government’s effort to encourage mechanised farming, lower production costs, and increase agricultural output.

Abiodun stated that his government is focused on making agriculture a profitable sector. He wants to attract investments and create jobs while boosting Ogun State’s role in national food security.

“We established the Ogun State Agricultural Land Management Agency (OSALMA) to make land access easier and promote responsible agricultural investment,” he said.

He also mentioned that his administration has completed 28 agricultural projects in the last two years. These projects cover crop production, aquaculture, and poultry, with investments in processing, storage, and mechanisation. This is aimed at strengthening the agricultural value chain.

Among the completed projects are solar dryers, warehouses, cassava processing centres, and a poultry processing plant at Ajegunle Farm Settlement in Odeda Local Government Area. The poultry plant can process 5,000 birds daily, which amounts to about 1.3 million birds each year.

Abiodun added that the state has bought 39 tractors, four self-propelled harvesters, and other agricultural equipment to enhance mechanisation and lessen the strain of manual farming.

On youth empowerment, Abiodun shared that over 200 young people have received training in soilless farming through a partnership with Soilless Farm Lab. They also received start-up support to help them start their own farming businesses.

The governor said the goal is to boost local processing and create more job opportunities in the agricultural sector.

“Our aim is to process more locally, keep more value in our state, and create more jobs. We want partnerships that generate jobs, share knowledge, empower farmers, and build local capacity,” he said.

Abiodun encouraged investors to explore opportunities in commercial farming, agro-processing, livestock production, aquaculture, mechanisation, and irrigation. He assured them that the state is ready to support responsible agricultural investments.

He mentioned that the administration is working towards an agricultural economy where farming is profitable and agribusinesses thrive.

Abiodun also talked about the Ogun State Farmer Information Management System launched in April 2023. This system has registered over 160,000 farmers and actors in the agricultural value chain.

He explained that the platform aims to support informed policymaking and ensure that government help reaches those who need it most.

“Under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), agribusiness firms purchased over 283,000 tonnes of agricultural produce,” he said.

Farmers grouped into clusters also received support and connections to buyers. These efforts have helped turn increased production into stable income.

The governor praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for strengthening local fertiliser production and improving farmers’ access to essential inputs. He also thanked Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her support for women farmers.

He stated that the Ogun State Government will continue to support federal agricultural initiatives by providing targeted help for farmers and responsible investments.

Earlier, Bolu Owotomo, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, described World Food Day as a reminder that everyone should have access to nutritious and affordable food. He said innovation is key to building a strong food system and called for more investments in women and youth.

Owotomo shared that over 12,000 farmers have received training and inputs under OGSTEP. The new support focuses on digital empowerment, mechanisation assistance, and subsidised inputs for rice and cassava farmers.

Beneficiaries are expected to pay 30 percent of the cost, while the government covers the remaining 70 percent through its partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

In his speech, Professor Kolawole Adebayo, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, said Ogun State has a strategic role in Nigeria’s food future. He pointed out that the state has 1.2 million hectares of arable land, which presents great opportunities for agro-industrial investment.

Adebayo stressed the need for policies that support innovation and called for a transport network that connects different modes of transport. This would help move agricultural products more efficiently and reduce losses after harvest.

He praised the state government for creating agro-industrial zones, improving land-clearing services for small farmers, and expanding access to agricultural inputs.

Adebayo also highlighted the Farmer Information Management System and the Nigerian Food Bank in Ogun State as initiatives that could enhance the state’s role in national food security.

Dr Kabiru Yusuf, the National Programme Coordinator of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme, praised Abiodun for supporting agriculture and urged beneficiaries to use the equipment and inputs effectively.

Segun Dasaolu, the South-West Coordinator of the Commodity Farmers Association of Nigeria, acknowledged the state government's efforts to support farmers and strengthen agricultural development in the region.

Rotimi Sogunle, speaking on behalf of farm settlers, thanked the governor for his support for farming communities and described OGSTEP as a major boost for agriculture in the state.

The event concluded with the symbolic presentation of tractors, agricultural tools, Android phones, fertilisers, herbicides, and other farming inputs to the beneficiaries.