Farmers in Iseyin, Iseyin local government have commended Governor Seyi Makinde for considering the Ipapo-Iseyin Farm Settlement as beneficiary of the State’s intervention as they claimed farmers in the Oke-Ogun region have contributed 70% of farm products to markets in the Southwest region of the nation during as the country is under Covid-19 lockdown.
Oyo State government recently announced that work would begin on the Akufo, Eruwa and other farm settlements in the State in order to booster their capacity.
The Chairman, Ipapo-Iseyin Farm Settlers Association, Mr Kazeem Alabi said the association reached out to the State government when they realized that the Oke-Ogun region was not mentioned among the farm settlements that would benefit from a loan the State administration just got to finance the farm settlements.
Alabi hinted that the body was assured that government would consider the Ipapo-Iseyin Farm Settlement, despite that it was not officially mentioned earlier, adding that presently, Oke-Ogun region was producing 70 percent of food being transported and sold in the South-West of Nigeria.
“We were sad when it was announced that Oyo State government picked farm settlements to utilize the loan secured recently by the present administration on, we then proceeded to Ibadan to know why it was so, there we were assured that government would look into the issue and Ipapo-Iseyin Farm Settlement would be taken care of, though this was unofficial, but we have had series of visitations by officials of the government at the settlement to uphold their assurance.
“We want to use this period and medium to specially thank the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for having us in mind in the scheme of things, we are grateful.
“If you notice the trend of food supply to markets in the city since the break of the Corona virus which necessitated restriction of people’s movement, Oke-Ogun region has contributed over 70 percent of the food from our farms to markets and households in the South-West of Nigeria and beyond.
“This feat is not without the support we have been getting from our amiable Governor who has demonstrated an unwavering stand on developing agriculture to power the State’s economy and youths employment.”
Alabi called on the State administration to continue to protect farmers through its policies and programs so as to achieve the desired result of growing local economy.
