Imole Agro-Revolution: 31 New Tractors, 200,000 Seedlings, and a New Dawn for Osun Farmers

Our administration inherited a neglected agricultural sector where the previous government, for instance, seemed to mistake the ceremonial distribution of cassava stem for meaningful agricultural development. Our administration crafted and delivered an agricultural plan which conformed with our plans for agro-industrialisation.

Our immediate action was the revival of some long-abandoned tractors which had been left to rot. After twelve years without tractors in Osun State, we acquired 31 brand new tractors. Those tractors are now in farms across Osun state at highly subsidized rates of ₦20,000 per acre as against ₦35,000 – ₦40,000 per acres in the private sector.

Aside mechanization, we ensured regular availability of seeds, seedlings and agronomic inputs such as fertilizers and chemicals. Over 200,000 hybrid cashew and cocoa seedlings have been distributed to farmers across the state.

Our administration further introduced an aggressive subsidy initiative for high-value crop seedlings. The cocoa and palm oil sectors, received a new lease of life. I approved the sale of cocoa pods at a subsidized rate of ₦300 far below the market price of ₦1,100. Similarly, palm pods were sold to farmers at ₦500 instead of the ₦1,500 market rate. Through the Osun Broiler Out-growers Production Scheme (OBOPS), hundreds of poultry farmers were empowered with chicks, feeds, and technical support.

— Governor Ademola Adeleke

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