The governor of the State of Osun, Gboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday restated the commitment of his administration to making agriculture the bedrock of the state’s socio-economic development.
He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to diversify the state’s economy through agriculture.
The governor made these commitment at the presentation of cash crops and other agricultural seeds to women farmers in rural communities in Osogbo, the state capital.
The programme was organised by a non-governmental organisation, NGO, Ilerioluwa Development Initiative.
Oyetola maintained that his commitment to food sufficiency and making the State of Osun the food basket of the South-West geo-political zone was very much on course.
The governor said that his administration has developed modalities to change the narrative, bring the desired change and encourage people’s participation in agriculture.
The State of Osun helmsman added that the initiative to give agricultural produce to women farmers was to encourage them to get involved in the transformation of the fortune of the state, through a realistic economic diversification process.
Commending his wife, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola, the initiator of the programme, for complementing government’s efforts at repositioning agriculture and also making life more meaningful and worthwhile for the people, Oyetola also urged the beneficiaries of the agriculture initiative to make good use of the crops and to also create opportunity for other women to benefit from the programme.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Oyetola explained that the IleriOluwa Initiative was founded to provide welfare, economic and empowerment services to the people and to complement government’s social investment programme.
The founder of the NGO, said that 500 women farmers from rural communities were empowered with various vegetable seeds and other agricultural inputs.
She added that the NGO had been executing masses-oriented programmes designed to lift people, particularly women, from the scourge of abject poverty.
Mrs Oyetola also said that the NGO would not rest on its oars, but ensure that the state actualises its lofty dreams with respect to the agriculture sector.
Vegetable seeds, cassava stem, day-old chicks and other cash crops were given to women farmers at the event.
