As part of his administration’s commitment to enhancing food security and supporting the agriculture sector, Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, officially flagged off the distribution of fertilisers to farmers across the state, yesterday.
The flag-off ceremony which took place at the Agric Warehouse in Akure attracted a large turnout of farmers and other stakeholders in agriculture and food security.
During the ceremony, Governor Aiyedatiwa ordered the distribution of 5,520 bags of NPK 20-10-10, 4,140 bags of NPK 27-13-13, 4,140 bags of NPK 15-15-15, and 4,200 bags of Urea fertilisers to farmers to all the 18 local government areas.
The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for facilitating the fertiliser supply through the Central Bank of Nigeria, acknowledging it as a crucial step to boost food production.
Governor Aiyedatiwa assured that the distribution would be conducted fairly and transparently, emphasizing that the fertilisers are not for sale and must not be politicised.
“Our administration is committed to ensuring that our palliatives reach the intended beneficiaries. We will not disappoint the people of Ondo State.
“Food insecurity is a serious issue that demands our immediate attention. This can only be achieved through comprehensive interventions that enhance food production at every level,” he said.
The governor identified several factors contributing to food scarcity including insecurity, lack of financing, poor road networks, climate change, urbanisation, and limited access to farmland stressing that to address the challenges, several government initiatives must be put in place including construction of rural roads, enhancing security and distribution of metric tonnes of maize.
Governor Aiyedatiwa announced new measures, including a N1billion fund for subsidized agricultural inputs and tractor hiring and another N1billion for subsidized food commodities.
Earlier, the senior special assistant to the governor on Agriculture and Agribusiness, who also serves as chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Rotimi Wemimo, promised effective and transparent distribution of the fertilisers.
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