By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

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In a bid to strengthen and increase food security, Ondo State Government  has  distributed agricultural inputs and production assets to crop and livestock farmers across the 18 council areas.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Olayato Aribo  stated this when he played host to the  State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture in Akure.

He noted that the distribution which began few months ago was done through the state’s FADAMA N-CARES project where residents are also trained in farming.

 Mr. Aribo listed the items to include  fertilizers, cassava stems, herbicides, raincoats and boots, rice, piggery, goatry, poultry, fishery production assets among others.

The commissioner, lauded the state government for providing supports and increase access of small scale farmers to agric inputs and services, and as well as their capacity to produce food.

He explained that the present administration has keyed into many initiatives such as the FADAMA N-CARES to empower as many vulnerable families as possible to get over the hardship imposed by the present economy realities.

He charged the beneficiaries to put what they have been given to good use to promote food security and boost the economy.

The house committee on agriculture, led by its Chairman Atinuke Witherspoon commended Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for always bringing dividends of democracy to the door steps of the people through the FADAMA N-CARES initiatives.

The lawmakers expressed confidence that the inputs will ameliorate the adverse effect of the economy realities on farmers to a large extent, by encouraging them to go back to farm for food sufficiency and economic development.

They said the visit was  to familiarize with the ministry, assuring of synergy to achieve the set goal.

Members underscored the need to make agriculture attractive to the youth by introducing mechanised farming techniques.