By Fatima Muraina

An onion farmer, Mr Oludare Idowu, has called on farmers to double their production efforts to enhance the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Ondo State.

Idowu made this appeal in an interview with The Hope in Akure shortly after being honoured by the Ondo State Agricultural Commodities Association during the OSIAFFA 2024 celebration.

He said, “We have to double up so that others can see and feel what we are doing. This can serve as a means of revenue generation and empowerment for many who are willing.”

Expressing his excitement over the award, Idowu, a multiple award-winning farmer, described the recognition as a motivation to increase production and encourage others to do the same.

“As it stands in Ondo State, we are transitioning from a food-dependent level to food independence,” he declared.

While acknowledging the efforts of farmers’ groups he collaborates with, Idowu noted that more work was required to raise awareness about the opportunities in farming.

He emphasised the need to achieve food security by producing what the people consume, with the support of key agricultural agencies.

“We want to make sure we reach out to everyone. We want to motivate each of them. If we are doing this for the agencies, we want all our farmers to take this seriously. Go and get a piece of land, produce what you can eat, and let us see if Ondo State will not take a new agricultural turn,” he said.