The Oyo State Government has announced the commencement of the second phase of its 50 per cent Tractorisation Subsidy Programme aimed at supporting smallholder farmers ahead of the 2025 planting season.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing held at the Ministry in Ibadan. He stated that the initiative, first launched in 2024 under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, has significantly boosted agricultural productivity and helped reduce food inflation in the state.
Olaleye revealed that during the first phase, over 6,090 acres of farmland were mechanically ploughed and 1,487 farmers benefited directly. “This policy has enabled many small and medium-scale farmers to shift from manual to mechanical farming, leading to a noticeable increase in productivity per hectare,” he said.
Under the scheme, the state government bears half of the cost of land ploughing, with farmers paying the remaining 50 per cent. The commissioner also announced that the state has deployed four trained extension officers to each of the 33 Local Government Areas to assist farmers with registration, land measurements, and accessing the services.
The extension officers, trained by the state’s technical partner “Hello Tractor,” have also been equipped to use a new online booking platform that allows farmers to request and track tractor services. A dedicated helpline has also been launched to assist farmers with any issues related to the programme.
Chairman of the Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State (ACCOS), Sheik Taofeek Azeez Akeugbagold, added that in addition to the subsidy, farmers can access agricultural credit and loan facilities provided by the corporation.
Olaleye further highlighted that between December 2024 and March 2025, over 9,500 tonnes of cassava—about 300 trailer loads—were moved from Ibarapa zone alone to neighbouring states, showcasing Oyo’s increasing role as a food basket of the nation.
The commissioner also disclosed that the government has introduced a “Train the
