Oyo farmers get N500m interest-free loan, endorse Ajimobi for second term
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Thursday disclosed that his administration had earmarked N500 million for distribution to farmers to ensure food security and make the state self-reliant in food production.
The governor made this disclosure while speaking at the 20th coronation anniversary of the Baale Agbe of Oyo State, Alhaji Yusuff Akintola in Ibadan, just as farmers in all the 33 local government areas of the state formally endorsed his (Governor Ajimobi’s) candidature for next month’s governorship election in the state.
Governor Ajimobi, who said that the distribution of the money would commence this month, expressed the importance of food for survival and healthy living, stressed the need for government at all levels to support farmers in their efforts at ensuring food security in the country.
He said that his administration had continued to provide necessary support for farmers, citing the procurement of 456 tractors for farmers as an instance.
The governor added that government would engage in clearing of farmlands for farmers free of charge, provision of seedlings as well as provision of silos for storing and preservation of farm produce as well as soft loans for traders.
He also said his administration would embark on training of women in farming, adding that government had already provided hectares of land for a soya bean manufacturing firm to assist in boosting the economy of the state.
On the modalities for distributing the money, Governor Ajimobi said contrary to the former practice whereby local governments were responsible for the distribution of the loan, the leaders of the farmers would now be in charge of the disbursement and administration of the funds.
In his remarks, Alhaji Akintola hinged the endorsement of the governor by his members on the unprecedented achievements of the Ajimobi administration which he said had resulted in the general transformation of the state.
He particularly acknowledged the peace and tranquility which had been reigning in the state since the emergence of the Ajimobi administration, saying this had served as the foundation upon which other developments were built.
Alhaji Akintola, who described the Ajimobi administration as farmer-friendly, said that farmers in the state had never had it so good in the last three and a half years in view of the various programmes that government had executed in the agric sector.
