By Fatima Muraina

The Ondo State government has expressed its readiness to support the Agbeladun Empowerment NGO, which has empowered farmers in Akoko with agricultural inputs to produce over 6,000 tomato seedlings.

Mr. Rotimi Wemimo Akinsola, Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Agriculture and Agribusiness, gave the assurance over the weekend during the first-year anniversary and the opening of the Agbeladun administrative office in Akure.

Akinsola, who was represented by his Senior Technical Assistant, Mr. Olushola Omole, assured the NGO of continued support and emphasized the importance of considering the organisation for all available opportunities within the state.

Expressing satisfaction with Agbeladun’s commitment, Akinsola also announced the commencement of cluster farming in the coming year, aimed at encouraging year-round farming and helping farmers earn more from their produce. He urged tomato farmers in the state to recognise the importance of data in determining the best times for planting and harvesting to ensure favourable market conditions.

“We are introducing programs that will assist farmers in Ondo State. We will ensure that all agricultural programs available at the federal level are brought to Ondo to help our farmers become more prosperous,” he said.

The Governor’s aide further called on farmers to strengthen cooperative and cluster farming systems to facilitate government support, noting that agriculture should no longer be treated as a tradition but as a business to maximise its potential.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tayo Oluwatuyi, represented by Omotayo Akeju, the Administrative Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Department, lauded Agbeladun’s efforts in training youth and promoting agriculture, noting that these efforts complemented the government’s agricultural agenda.

The SSG reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that address food security and empower farmers, expressing readiness to support Agbeladun in further impacting farmers to achieve food sufficiency.

HRH Oba Oloye Rotimi, Olujigba of Ijigba Kingdom, the Royal Father of Agbeladun Agricultural Empowerment, called on the government to repair and revitalise farm settlement centres to achieve the desired agricultural goals. He stated that while government agricultural programs are commendable, they can only be fully effective with the proper recreation of these centres.

Earlier, the Chairman of Agbeladun, Mr. Olushola Franklin Fadoju, acknowledged the dedication of the Agbeladun team and its partners, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to driving agricultural growth through inclusivity and sustainability. Reflecting on the organisation’s achievements, he highlighted key milestones, including the training of over 2,000 farmers and the establishment of a 20-hectare cassava farm, as part of their mission to transform agriculture.

The anniversary celebration also featured presentations by guest speaker Prof. Adeduro Adegeye, who spoke on the role of agriculture in a sustainable economy, and Mrs. Tade Wemimo, who conducted training on sack gardening and backyard farming to encourage innovative agricultural practices for food sufficiency.