Ogun State Government to Partner with Private Sector to Revitalize Agricultural Storage Facilities
Ogun State Government to Partner with Private Sector to Revitalize Agricultural Storage Facilities
The administration led by Prince Dapo Abiodun has announced its commitment to collaborating with the private sector to enhance and upgrade storage facilities, particularly silos, to maximize their efficiency.
During a media briefing held in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, shared that this partnership is aimed at strengthening the state’s agricultural sector by enhancing storage infrastructure, minimizing post-harvest losses, and bolstering food security.
Owotomo emphasized that this initiative supports Governor Dapo Abiodun’s goals of creating a more efficient agricultural sector, which will, in turn, boost the state’s economy and improve citizens’ lives.
In reflecting on the Ministry’s accomplishments during the first quarter of the year, Owotomo noted that these achievements stem from various departments, programs, and projects, such as the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), Ogun State Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (OG-CARES FADAMA), and the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP). He stated that farmers who benefited from government assistance were able to reinvest and grow their businesses.
He disclosed that the Ogun State Government, through the OGSTEP project, has provided over 5.4 billion naira worth of agricultural inputs from June 2023 to the present, aiming for farmers to produce 318,000 tonnes of commodities with an anticipated return of 15.9 billion naira.
Owotomo also revealed that 12,628 cassava farmers were aggregated and trained in various agricultural value chain aspects. Among them, 11,547 received grants covering 65% of mechanization services—such as ploughing, harrowing, ridging, and spraying—and 50% for inputs like cassava stems, agrochemicals, and fertilizers, alongside training in climate-smart agriculture, group dynamics, bookkeeping, and good agricultural practices.
Under the OG-CARES FADAMA program, the government has provided assistance to hundreds of farmers with boreholes, irrigation pumps, and infrastructure for consistent farming throughout the year. The state has also upgraded five wet markets for food processing and rehabilitated five rural roads to connect farms to markets.
Owotomo further mentioned that the state has maintained diligent records of over 160,000 farmers who have been registered across various clusters including oil palm, rice, and livestock, to promote food sufficiency in Ogun.
He announced plans for the construction of three farmers’ markets in Ijebu-Ode (Ogun East), Lusada (Ogun West), and Asero (Ogun Central), which will feature around 300 stalls, health facilities, parking areas, and financial institutions, with the Asero market nearing completion.
In response to recent challenges faced by some beneficiaries of the anchor borrower program, Owotomo assured that the state government is proactively working to resolve the issues. A meeting has been held with the Central Bank and relevant financial institutions to address concerns.
“We understand that some individuals have been incorrectly debited, and while there are challenges with the project, as a responsible state government and ministry, we are committed to resolving these issues promptly. I urge our farmers to remain patient as solutions are forthcoming,” he stated.
Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, acknowledged the governor for prioritizing farmers and fostering a media-friendly environment. He commended Owotomo and his team for their efforts in realizing the administration’s vision for food security and pledged to promote the Ministry’s initiatives effectively.
