Agric, backbone of  Osun’s economy – Oyetola

From Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo
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Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola has described agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy noting that the sector has vast potentials for sustainable revenue, employment generation and infrastructural development.

 Oyetola, who made the assertion this during the Farmers’ Field Day celebration in Osogbo said the sector provides food for the citizens, raw materials for the agro-allied industries and employment of over 70 percent of our economically active population.

While congratulating the farmers on the special day, he stressed that they are allies in the march towards food sufficiency, poverty eradication and job creation.

The governor said Osun Farmers’ Field Day is an opportunity for farmers to come together, discuss their challenges and be introduced to new practices and varieties of agricultural technology.

“The practice of agriculture has always thrived with government providing the necessary enabling environment for practitioners.

“Our vision as an administration is to make Osun the food hub of the South West. We will make agriculture profitable and ensure food security as part of our eight-point Agenda designed to wholly transform the sector in the state.

Oyetola noted that under the partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the state government has provided 205.5 hectares of land in Ago Owu for the purpose of conducting researches and setting up demonstration farms for best farming practices.

“To support our farmers, we are ready to go into Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in the agriculture sector.

“We will also facilitate the provision of affordable access to farm machinery and equipment for farmers and youths in agriculture.”

He lauded the efforts of the lawmakers in the state for backing up and providing substantial budgetary provisions and oversight support to make the government vision for the Agriculture sector realizable.