By Fatima Muraina
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The latest ranking of Ondo State by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBC), as the state with lowest poverty rate in the country with 27 percent, has been attributed to the numerous life-changing programmes of the Akeredolu-led administration since inception.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Olayato Aribo stated this while playing host to members of Justice Development and Peace Centre (JDPC), at his office in Akure.
He said the state will continue to initiate programmes and policies that would affect lives positively, especially to the less privileged.
According to the Commissioner, agriculture is key in the development strive of any society, as he assured that no stone would be left unturned to tap where it has a comparative advantage, to leverage on and engage youths, women and the masses in agricultural practices.
Aribo further assured, that government will continue to encourage more farmers through various programmes like the LIFE-ND, training, provision of hybrid seedlings and subsidised tools/agro chemicals to enhance productivity and guarantee food security.
He therefore appreciated the organisation for its collaboration and support during the world food day celebration and their involvement during the training on mushroom production.
In her address, the group’s state Coordinator, Mrs Grace Oyediji applauded the present administration for its giant strides in the agricultural sector.
While commending the State’s effort in relating with whom she referred to as real farmers, she promised the centre’s continuous support and partnership with the state government towards ensuring that hunger would be kicked out in the state by 2022.
The Programme Officer of the Centre, Mr. Austine Ogunleye, said the centre is a non Governmental Organisation and committed to the promotion of human dignity and values as well as human rights by commitment to social action.
He further said that JDPC Ondo is in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria to implement a programme called Scaling-Up Local Right Programme (SUPIA), which focuses on food security, engaging government at all levels with a view to publicising the levels and line items in current agriculture budgets, assessing the effectiveness of budgets and allocations.
