The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has distributed 1,665 bags of garri to vulnerable groups in Ondo State as part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at cushioning the effects of food insecurity.
Speaking at the distribution ceremony in Akure, the state Coordinator of the ministry in Ondo State, Mr. Rufus Agbanimu , said the intervention was designed to alleviate hardship among the less privileged, including persons with disabilities, inmates of correctional facilities, widows and women cooperatives.
According to him, 500 bags were allocated to the Medium Security Custodial Centre and juvenile inmates, another 500 bags to persons living with disabilities, while the remaining quantity was shared among women cooperatives across the state.
“This distribution is specifically for identified beneficiaries. We are guided strictly by the Federal Government’s directives to ensure that the items get to those they are meant for,” he said.
“Food is very important. When food is available, there is hope. That is why we appreciate the Federal Government for remembering the vulnerable in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”
Agbanimu explained that the exercise was conducted transparently, with key stakeholders present to witness the process.
Representatives from the Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), the Department of State Services (DSS), correctional authorities and women farmer groups attended the event.
The Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mrs Foluke Tunde-Daramola, who represented the state government, commended the Federal Government for what she described as a noble gesture.
She urged representatives of beneficiary groups to ensure the food items were delivered directly to the intended recipients and not diverted or sold.
“These items are meant for a specific category of people. Let us ensure they get to those they are meant for,” she said, while also encouraging residents to embrace small-scale farming to enhance household food security.
The Programme Manager of the Ondo State Agricultural Development Project (ADP), Mrs. Justina Arogundade , expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, noting that “when you give food to anybody, you are giving life.”
Also speaking, the representative of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Olokuta, Ogundola Ayodeji, assured that the items allocated to the facility would be distributed strictly in line with directives.
“The inmates are going to benefit from it as instructed. We appreciate the Federal Government for this support to the less privileged,” he said.
On reports that the Federal Government had rolled out 2,000 tractors for farmers nationwide, the state coordinator said he had not received official communication regarding the development and could not comment.
He, however, noted that mechanised farming is ongoing in the state and expressed optimism that further agricultural interventions would follow.
The distribution, which was conducted in an open forum with stakeholders and beneficiaries present, forms part of ongoing federal efforts to mitigate the impact of rising food costs and strengthen food security at the grassroots level.
The state chairperson of Small Scale Farmers Women in Agriculture, SWOFON, Mrs Funke Olusiji, appreciated the Federal Government for the gesture, promising that the garri will be presented to the most vulnerables among the women.