By Adedotun Ajayi

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As part of efforts towards combating the rising cost of food items and promoting all round agricultural development to ensure food security, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved the constitution of “Agriculture and Food Security Committee”.

Members of the committee are: Mr. Rotimi Wemimo Akinsola – Chairman, Rev. Gideon Oluleye – Vice Chairman, Mr. Abayomi Monilari – Member, Mr. Obaweya Gbenga – Member, Mr. Fabiyi Omolade – Member.

Others are; Prof. Adefolakemi Gabriel-Ajobiewe – Member, Chief Abiodun Adejo – Member, Mr. Gbenga Akingbasote, – Member/Secretary, Mrs. F.O Tunde-Daramola – Member/Co-Secretary and Mrs. Tayo Ogundare – Secretariat Staff.

The committee has since swung into action on its terms of reference, which include: to advise on immediate and sustainable measures to bring down the rising costs of food stuff and to strategically engage all relevant actors/stakeholders in the agri-food sector with a view to developing a long-term food security plan for the State.

Other responsibilities of the committee include making recommendations on how to attract and retain the younger generation in agribusiness and its entire value chain; formulating policies that would help boost food production and nutrition in line with global best practices; facilitating the procurement and distribution of food production and nutrition in palliatives; and making any other recommendation(s) as may be appropriate to ensure food security in the State.

The State Executive Council had recently approved the sum of N3.47 billion counterpart funds for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

The RAMP project would see many feeder roads asphalted to connect rural dwellers to cities and drive the economy of the State through Agriculture.