Kayode Akinmade: Food security: Abiodun deepens Ogun’s agricultural transformation drive
With support for 10,000 farmers, new mechanisation equipment, digital technology and investments in agro-processing, Governor Dapo Abiodun is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to boost food production, reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ livelihoods. As Nigeria grapples with food affordability and rising agricultural production costs, Ogun State, under Governor Dapo Abiodun, is…
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State is intensifying the region's agricultural transformation drive through a multi-faceted strategy aimed at boosting food production, reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing the livelihoods of farmers. As Nigeria faces the dual challenges of food affordability and rising agricultural production costs, the state is taking targeted measures to bolster food security.
At the 2026 World Food Day celebration in Abeokuta, Abiodun unveiled an initiative that supports 10,000 rice and cassava farmers with subsidised farm inputs, 10 tractors, 1,200 Android phones equipped with essential applications, and other agricultural equipment.
Abiodun emphasized that food security requires more than simply increasing crop yields; it necessitates affordable inputs, timely information, efficient production systems, better storage, processing facilities, and reliable access to markets. The cost of fertilizers, herbicides, improved planting materials and machinery can be a significant determinant of a farmer's profitability, making these interventions crucial for reducing financial barriers and improving production capacity.
The initiative targets rice and cassava farmers directly, offering 2,000 rice farmers and 8,000 cassava farmers a range of subsidies including fertilizers, herbicides, planting stems, and herbicides. Beneficiaries are required to contribute 30% of the input costs, with the remaining 70% covered by the government, supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
The government's investment is also part of a broader strategy to improve mechanisation across the agricultural sector, recognizing that limited access to modern equipment hampers smallholder farmers' productivity and efficiency.
Mechanisation, exemplified by the provision of 10 tractors and additional equipment, is crucial for expanding cultivated land, accelerating planting and harvesting, and minimizing production losses. However, the success of these efforts hinges on effective maintenance, access to spare parts, fuel, operator training, and equitable distribution.
Furthermore, the distribution of 1,200 Android phones loaded with agricultural information applications underscores the state's recognition of the pivotal role of digital technology in modern agriculture. Access to weather forecasts, market prices, and best agricultural practices can empower farmers to make informed decisions, improve productivity, and enhance profitability.
The ultimate success of these interventions will depend on timely delivery, effective monitoring, and translating improvements into higher yields and better incomes for farmers. For a state with significant agricultural potential and a strategic location near major consumer markets, these measures hold substantial economic implications beyond agriculture, including supporting food processing, transportation, wholesale, retail trade, and job creation.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Post Nigeria's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
