By Gbenga Oloniniran

No fewer than 30,000 farmers have been put into clusters for improved production of rice, maize, and cassava, among others with the provision of land and other subsidised items.

A Sunday statement noted that the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, revealed this during a visit to the Alubarika 200-hectare rice farm cluster at Magboro in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.

The commissioner noted that 60,000 farmers had been captured under the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, with plans to capture an additional 100,000 farmers before the end of the year.

Owotomo restated the state government’s readiness to support farmers in accessing needed resources to succeed, in order to boost food production and ensure food security.

Owotomo, who expressed satisfaction with the progress of farmers in the cluster, noted that the farm was part of the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project initiative, and was expected to yield 1,400 tonnes of rice upon harvest, saying the move was in line with the state government’s objectives to improve agricultural production.

“Most of the people in this cluster were not farming before now, but they were planting on a plot which has been expanded through the state government’s support,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Kehinde Jokotoye, urged farmers to take advantage of the various government interventions to increase their yield and livelihood.

On her part, the Project Coordinator, OGSTEP, Mosunmola Owo-Odunsi, said the rice cultivation programme was a multi-sectoral project, aimed at improving the living standard of farmers, appreciating the governor for providing necessary resources for its success.

Responding on behalf of other farmers, the cluster secretary, Salam Adelowo, lauded the partnership drive of the government as well as the passion to make rice available in large quantity, soliciting for improved social amenities on the farm.

In June, the state government awarded grants and land to 25 indigenes who graduated from the Enterprise for Youth in Agriculture programme.

The initiative, in collaboration with Soiless Farm Lab and the Mastercard Foundation, aimed to boost agricultural endeavours in the state.

Published Date: August 12, 2024