Farmers in Ondo State have been urged to work together to ensure they benefit from the state government’s agricultural budget of N26 billion.

The Chairman of the Ondo State Agricultural Commodities Association, Mr. Adeola Adejo, made the call while addressing commodity heads and agricultural organization leaders at a meeting in Akure over the weekend.

Adejo observed that many farmers have been working in isolation, believing they could achieve success through personal efforts—an approach he said would only benefit a few individuals rather than the farming community as a whole.

Speaking briefly in an interview with The Hope, he said the purpose of the meeting was to deliberate on the planting season, as the first rainfall had already occurred across the state, signaling the need for land clearing and preparation.

He also emphasized the importance of cluster farming, citing security concerns and the necessity of making it easier to receive government assistance.

 “The meeting is also aimed at identifying real farmers, their farm locations, and the hectares under cultivation for better planning—not just for security reasons,” he noted.

 “It is also to address irrigation needs, as individual farmers may not be able to provide irrigation systems themselves. The government can step in to assist,” he added.

According to Adejo, the government must be genuinely committed to supporting farmers—not just by distributing free money or materials, but by ensuring they have access to off-takers who will purchase their produce.

 “For example, if I have a 3,000-hectare cassava farm in Ondo State and there is a glut in the market with no buyers, we need the government to step in. The government should facilitate connections with end-users of cassava, maize, rice, tomatoes, and other commodities.

“Ondo State should be recognized as a major producer, attracting partners who can serve as off-takers. This will ensure that as we produce, we also have a market, leading to a more structured and sustainable farming system,” Adejo explained.

He described Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as highly committed to supporting agriculture in all aspects and emphasized the need for farmers to reposition themselves to take full advantage of the governor’s initiatives.

> “If we do not position ourselves properly, funds will be available, but we will be unable to access them. Therefore, we must work directly with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Agribusiness to ensure that our farmers benefit significantly from the state’s agricultural budget,” he declared.

He further advised Nigerians not to rely solely on commercial farmers, noting that farming is not limited to professionals. He encouraged people to cultivate crops in their backyards to boost food production and reduce market prices.

In response, the Chairman of Agbeladun Empowerment NGO, Mr. Frankline Fadoju, urged stakeholders to spread the message, ensuring that all farmers align with the government’s vision. He emphasized the need to drive agriculture forward to achieve food sufficiency and sustainability in the state.