Food Security: Abiodun Advances Ogun’s Agricultural Transformation Drive

Ogun State is stepping up efforts to strengthen food security through support for farmers, agricultural mechanisation, digital technology and investment in processing and market access.

At the 2026 World Food Day celebration in Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun announced subsidised farm inputs for 10,000 rice and cassava farmers, alongside the distribution of tractors, other equipment and 1,200 Android phones loaded with agricultural applications.

The initiative, held under the theme *“Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,”* targets 2,000 rice farmers and 8,000 cassava farmers. Beneficiaries will receive fertiliser and urea, while cassava farmers will also receive planting stems and herbicide. Rice farmers will receive herbicide as part of the package.

The state government said farmers would contribute 30 per cent of the cost, depending on the input category, while the government would cover the remaining 70 per cent through its partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

The programme aims to ease the cost of production and help farmers improve output. Its impact will depend on timely distribution, effective monitoring and whether the support leads to higher yields and better incomes.

Abiodun also announced the distribution of 10 tractors and other equipment to farm settlements and farmers’ associations. He said the administration had procured 39 tractors, four self-propelled harvesters and additional machinery to support mechanisation.

Access to well-maintained equipment can help farmers cultivate more land and complete planting and harvesting on time. The state will also need to ensure machinery is properly maintained and shared fairly, with access to fuel, spare parts and trained operators.

The 1,200 smartphones are intended to give farmers access to weather updates, market prices and advice on good agricultural practices. The initiative builds on the Ogun State Farmer Information Management System, which, according to the governor, has registered more than 160,000 farmers and agricultural value-chain participants.

Digital tools could help farmers make informed decisions, but their usefulness will depend on reliable information, effective training and regular updates to the state’s farmer database.

The administration is also investing in storage and agro-processing. Abiodun said 28 agricultural projects had been completed in two years, including solar dryers, warehouses, cassava processing centres and a poultry processing plant at Ajegunle Farm Settlement in Odeda. The poultry facility can process up to 5,000 birds daily, he said.

These facilities are intended to reduce post-harvest losses, create markets for local produce and encourage more processing within the state. Under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, agribusiness firms have reportedly purchased more than 283,000 tonnes of produce, while farmer clusters have received training and links to buyers.

The government has also supported youth training in soilless farming, partnering with Soilless Farm Lab to train more than 200 young people and provide start-up support. It established the Ogun State Agricultural Land Management Agency to facilitate access to land for agricultural investment.

At the event, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security Bolu Owotomo called for greater investment in women and young people. The state said more than 12,000 farmers had received training and inputs through OGSTEP.

The initiatives combine immediate assistance with longer-term investments. Their success will ultimately be measured by increased production, improved farmer incomes, reduced food losses and better access to affordable, nutritious food.