The Oyo State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (OY-RAAMP) has awarded contracts worth N3.5 billion for the first phase of  physical improvement and remodelling of three markets across the state.

The three markets selected for the first phase of the physical improvement include, Aare-Alasa Market, Akanran area, Ona-Ara Local Government, Oja-Agbe Market, Iseyin Local Government, Oja-Oba Market, Ibarapa Central Local Government.

Speaking at the official signing ceremony recently, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to transforming rural markets into modern, functional hubs that will drive agricultural productivity and improve access to markets across the state.

According to the Commissioner, “These markets will undergo comprehensive modernization, including upgraded infrastructure, enhanced storage facilities, improved access roads, and other critical features aimed at streamlining agricultural logistics and supporting both farmers and traders”.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Abosede Owoeye, described the contract signing as a significant milestone in the state’s agricultural transformation efforts stressing that the initiative aligns with Governor Seyi Makinde’s vision of ensuring food security and economic empowerment in rural communities.

In her address the OY-RAAMP Coordinator, Engr. Mrs. Adeola Ekundayo, explained that the N3.5 billion allocation covers: N1,227,196,608.81 for the Aare Alasa Market upgrade, N1,219,954,792.90 for the Oja-Agbe Market upgrade, N1,042,800,042.63 for the Oja-Oba Market improvement.

She noted that the Agro-Logistics component of RAAMP is strategically designed to enhance rural market infrastructure, ensure better linkage to rural roads, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve the accessibility of farm produce.

The contractors awarded for each project site include: Quicbond Nigeria Ltd – Aare Alasa Market, Ona-Ara LGA, Lee Fakino Nigeria Ltd – Oja-Agbe Market, Iseyin LGA, AB-Bond Habitat Ltd – Oja-Oba Market, Ibarapa Central LGA

Engr. Ekundayo however urged the contractors to actively engage with the host communities throughout the project’s execution to ensure sustainability and local support.

E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,

Commissioner for Information and Orientation,

Oyo State.

Oyo State Government has begun the first phase of distribution of motorcycles to Agricultural Extension Officers across the State as a demonstration of its determination to boost agricultural extension services in the State.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, who gave out 15 motorcycles to the agricultural extension officers on Tuesday, noted that they serve as links between researchers and farmers.

According to him, extension officers play a critical role in the dissemination of innovations and technologies to smallholder farmers to enhance productivity and improve farmers’ standard of living and ensure food security in the State.

He explained that the Governor Seyi Makinde administration will focus on addressing some of the pressing challenges facing agricultural extension services, including systemic decline driven by several key factors.

He said: “I am highly delighted to welcome you to the distribution of BAJAJ motorcycles to Officers/Extension Agents in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“Agricultural Extension Officers (Agents) are the link between the researchers and the farmers. They play a critical role in the dissemination of innovations and technologies to the smallholder farmers, which will invariably increase their productivity and improve their standard of living and ensure food security in the State.

“Therefore, the Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, approved the purchase of BAJAJ motorcycles for the Agricultural Extension Agents in the State to enhance agricultural extension service delivery.

“You will all agree with me that one of the most pressing challenges facing the Agricultural Extension Officers is the systemic decline, driven by several key factors which include critical shortage of Extension Agents due to retirements without adequate replacement.

“Other factors are young people’s reluctance to pursue careers in agriculture and entrepreneurship, lack of sufficient training and professional development of extension agents and lack of proper transportation resources, making it difficult for them to reach and serve farmers in remote villages.

“In ameliorating the observed challenges, the present administration has embarked on programmes, projects and provision of manpower, including this distribution of BAJAJ motorcycles that we are witnessing today.

“Other interventions include: Start Them Early Programme (STEP) to encourage agricultural interest in secondary school students being replicated in eight zones of Oyo State. The Government just concluded the recruitment of 161 officers across cadres in the Ministry.

“Last year, we also embarked on the training of 131 Extension Agents across the 33 LGAs and LCDAs on the use of digital applications to measure farmland under the 50 per cent tractorisation subsidy programme of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER).

“Also, we embarked on the 50 per cent tractorisation subsidy programme under SAfER where 1,487 farmers benefited, and a total of 6,009.4083 acres of land was ploughed throughout the State.

“On this note, I have the singular honour and privilege to implore the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity to bridge the gap between researchers and farmers to boost food production, improve livelihoods and promote sustainable agricultural service delivery.”

Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Abosede Owoeye, noted that the distribution of the motorcycles to Agricultural Extension Officers across the State would serve as tools of transformation, as they will be able to access remote farming communities more efficiently, respond promptly to farmers’ needs and also deliver timely agricultural advisory services.

She appreciated the dedication and steadfastness of the Extension Officers in the State for their contribution and achievement in the 50 per cent tractorisation programme of the State Government under the SAfER programme in 2024.

She urged them to ensure improved agricultural extension service delivery in the State.

Speaking on behalf of the Agricultural Extension Officers, Mr Akanbi Ademola thanked Governor Makinde for improving the agriculture sector and promised to complement the efforts of the State Government to ensure food security in the State.

… reveals 100 Communities  soil Testing Result.

As part of its proactive measures  to ensure food security and sustainable agricultural practices, Oyo State Government has trained farmers on climate-resilient practices, in line with the 2025 rainfall prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

Speaking on the importance of the training to farmers and  the State at large, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye said the training program is designed to educate farmers on innovative agricultural practices that can help them adapt to the predicted rainfall patterns and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

According to Barrister Olaleye, the training focuses on educating farmers on innovative agricultural practices, stressed that the practices include Drought-Tolerant Crops, Irrigation Management, Soil Conservation, and Organic Farming Practices, which can help farmers build resilience to climate-related shocks

The Commissioner equally revealed that 22,370 farmers were trained on good agricultural  practices during OCP soil testing adding that the results of soil testing conducted in 100 communities across the State in collaboration with OCP Africa would help farmers to know the types of crops to be planted in the said land, adding that the initiative would provide farmers with valuable insights into the nutrient content and fertility of their soils, enabling them to make decisions about fertilizer application and crop selection.

The Agric. commissioner explained that, according to the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the state is anticipated to experience varying dry spell conditions across different Local Government Areas.

In her earlier address of welcome, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,  Mrs. Abosede Owoeye, revealed  that by providing farmers with access to climate information, soil testing results, and training on climate-resilient practices, the Oyo State Government under the leadership of Engr seyi Makinde is demonstrating its commitment to supporting the State’s agricultural sector and ensuring food security for its citizens.

She therefore urged the participants to consider the training as train the trainers and ensure every aspect of the training is considered as importance.

In his goodwill message, the State Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Adewunmi Abass, praised the Government’s initiatives to bolster agriculture and food security.

The Chairman said, “The path forward lies in our collective commitment to adopting smart agricultural practices that not only foster resilience against climate change but also promote sustainable and profitable farming.”

“Let us recognize our role as stewards of the land, working to ensure a safer, more sustainable future for generations to come.”

The training was attended by well resource persons such as Professor Samuel Olakojo from IAR&T, Professor Mrs Morufat Balogun from IITA/UI, Dr. Nureni Ayanniyi from NCRI, Baale Agbes, Director of Agrics across the LGAs, Women in Agric and many more.

Adesoji Olusegun.

Media Officer,

MA&RD.

The Oyo State Government has mandated residents of the State to vaccinate their dogs and cats against the dreaded rabies disease.

The mandate was contained in a release issued today, by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, drawing the residents’ attention to the importance of such vaccination.

Recall that this year’s World Rabies Day was marked on September 28, 2024, with the theme “Breaking Rabies Boundary.”

Oyo State marked the event with a program that brought together veterinary professionals, pet owners, and community members in a united front against this deadly disease.

Olasunkanmi said, “All dogs and cats owners who have not vaccinated their pets should do so immediately by visiting the veterinary centres in the State”.

Barrister Olasunkanmi hinted that from research, majority of rabies cases involve dog bites hence the present Government in the State is sensitizing the general public on the needs to keep their dogs or animals in confined areas and vaccinate them regularly.

He said that it is against the Oyo State Dog Law 2019 to allow dogs to rove around without its owner.

According him, the best way to prevent rabies in humans is by vaccination of dogs and cats, at least once a year.

The Commissioner, said human rabies death according to research is 100 percent preventable with prompt vaccination of dogs and cats.

He explained that having discovered that over 70 percent of infectious diseases in humans originate from animals- Zoonotic, Oyo State Government has embarked on an all inclusive method to control rabies and other zoonotics diseases.

Olaleye said the Government has executed free mass vaccination of cattle under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative.

He added that the Government in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Livestock Productivity and Reseilince Support Project (L-Press) on 19th of August, 2024, trained veterinary Officers.

Olasunkanmi however added that refusal to vaccinate dogs and pets annually is an offence against the Oyo State Dog Law 2019, with fine of Two Hundred and Fifty Naira (#250,000) only or six months imprisonment or both.

In a related development, the Chairman Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Oyo State Chapter, Dr. John Famoyin commended Oyo State Government for its various efforts in preventing zoonotics diseases noting that September 28th every year is the World Rabies Day.

He however urged Government at all levels to ensure implementation of Dog Law.

E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,

Commissioner for Information and Orientation,

Oyo State.

The Oyo State Government has launched its Civil Service Week celebration with an inter-ministerial football match as part of programme lined up to commemorate Civil Service week.

Flagging off the event today at Ikolaba High School field, the chairman, 2024 Civil Service Week Committee, as well as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs.  Christianah Abioye said the inter-ministerial football game was part of activities to celebrate a week-long 2024 Civil Service Week.

Mrs. Abioye explained that the football match is part of a week-long celebration of Civil Service Week. She emphasized the need for sports activities like football to help civil servants perform their duties effectively, hence Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, approved the committee’s request, making this the first inter-ministerial football match in the State’s history.

The Chairman, hinted that for the civil servants in the state to continue discharge their duties as expected, there is need to introduce sports like football match, hence the Oyo State Governor under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde to approve the committee’s request, adding that the inter ministerial football is first of its kind in the history of Oyo State.

She equally commended the Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, for her interest in the initiative, adding that the event aims to promote teamwork and camaraderie among civil servants, contributing to a positive work environment.

Speaking with the participants at the inter-ministerial football match, Mrs. Abioye urged participants to view the exercise as a fun way to stay active, rather than a high-stakes competition. “We are all co-laborers in Oyo State,” she reminded.

Mr. Abraham Adegbola, a Class Teacher at Progressive Grammar School, Tede, who played for the Ministry of Education, expressed gratitude to the Oyo State Government for the opportunity saying that the exercise will promotes unity among civil servants and encourages them to embrace sports, leading to increased productivity.

The first match saw the Ministry of Education defeat the Ministry of Health 2-0, while the second match resulted in a 4-0 victory for the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources against the Governor’s Office.

Adesoji Olusegun.

Media Officer,

MA&RD.

Oyo, State.

The Oyo State Mobilization Agency for Socio Economic Development (OYMASED) will collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the education and mobilization of residents on the State  Government’s effort at ensuring food security and sufficiency.

The Director General of OYMASED, Dr. Morohunkola Thomas while on  a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the new agency is saddled with the responsibility of educating people at the grassroots on the socio economic activities of the Seyi Makinde led administration.

He added that mobilization and education of residents of the State will help in achieving one of the agenda of the State Government which is moving people from poverty to prosperity.

According to Dr. Thomas, the Agency through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will collaborate with OYSADA and extension workers in reaching the farmers and educating the populace on food security and sufficiency.

The OYMASED Director General also appreciated the efforts of the Oyo State Government for introducing Oyo SAfER which he said has helped a lot of farmers across the thirty three local government of the State.

‘Oyo SAfER has been of great assistance to farmers in the State. Through this, farmers can now cultivate their lands with the inputs of the State Government’, he added.

Dr. Thomas advised the Ministry on the need to revive school  Agriculture policy as well as encourage backyard farming.

In his response, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development,   Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye said the agency will relieve the Ministry of bottlenecks on sensitizing people at the grassroots  on its activities.

He noted that a lot has been achieved under the safer programme of the State Government.

He called on local government  chairmen as well as residents of the State to make land available to investors as well as helping in breaking the bottlenecks of middle men and ensuring that adequate security is provided for the farmers in their domain.

E- signed:

Media Team,

Oyo State Mobilization Agency for Socio- Economic Development.

The Oyo State Government has launched a comprehensive training program for farmers in rural communities as part of its continued efforts to enhance food security.

Declaring the training open on Thursday at the Oyo State- IITA Youth Incubation Park Centre, Awe, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, stated  that the program was first of its kind in the State’s history under Governor Seyi Makinde’s tenure.

He said that the program aims to reduce unemployment and increase food production, with 62 participants selected from various rural communities undergoing intensive training to enhance their agricultural skills and knowledge.

He hinted that each participant has been allocated two acres of land to cultivate, with over 200 acres of maize farm already cultivated within the Oyo State-IITA Youth Incubation Park Centre, Awe, saying the initiative is expected to ensure food sufficiency in the coming months.

According to the Commissioner,   Sixty-two (62) farmers were selected from different local governments in the State will undergo training in good Agricultural practices in different farming enterprises for the next one year. Each  participant was allocated  two acres of farmland as demonstration farm, and are also given free inputs like maize seed, cassava stems, herbicides amongst others.

He emphasized that the training programme that will be taken to Communities and villages in Oyo State is aimed at promoting good agricultural practices, increasing food production and food security in the State.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Christianah Abioye, commended the participants for their cooperation and urged them to take the training seriously, as the Government will provide necessary materials.

Speaking on the journey so far, the IITA Park Manager, Mr. Oni Waheed, expressed excitement about the initiative, acknowledging the Government’s support.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, the participants’ captain, Rev. Dr. Idowu David, expressed gratitude to the Government and IITA, promised to make the most of the training and contribute to the development of the agricultural sector in Oyo State.

He stated that the program is a significant step towards achieving the Oyo State Government’s agenda to promote agriculture and reduce unemployment, expected to have a positive impact on the lives of the participants and the overall agricultural sector in the State.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye alongside  his Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Christianah Abioye received AWARD OF EXCELLENCE PERFORMANCE from the Poultry Association of Nigeria PAN, Oyo State Chapter.

Presenting the award, today at the Commissioner’s Office,  the Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN, Oyo State chapter, Elder Omidokun hinted that their excellent performance towards the distribution of the ongoing farm input to farmers, most especially poultry farmers whereby 95% of beneficiaries earned them the award, adding that PAN would forever be grateful. He however prayed for greater success of Omituntun 2.0 of Engr Makinde’s led administration.

In his remarks, the Commissioner appreciated the union stressing that the award was a call to greater service.

Deputy Governor of Oyo State , Barrister Adbul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal alongside the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Christianah Abioye in a group photograph with team from Federal Ministry of Agriculture and food security, led by Malam Ibrahim K. Iro  on advocacy Mission for the Expansion of Cadre Harmonise Analysis to the state, today at the Deputy Governor’s Office. Together with the team are; the representative of Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nation (FAO), Miss Regina Ojomah, Director of Agricultural Extension Services, Mr. M. A. Razaq and other members of the newly inaugurated committee of National Taskforce Analysis on Cadre Harmonize, Oyo State chapter.

… Deploys extension officers across 33 LG to facilitate proper booking.

In line with promises made by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to support farmers in ploughing their farmlands, the State Government has commenced 50% tractorization subsidy for farmers to enhance its vision of ensuring food sufficiency across the State.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkami Olaleye who  disclosed this at a press briefing, explained that a remote monitoring device would also be deployed to ensure proper measurement of farmlands and tracking of the tractors while ploughing the farmlands to ensure the programme followed due process.

Explaining modalities for the programme, the Commissioner noted that interested farmers would book by applying to access the tractorization subsidy, then an extension officer would go to their farms to take proper measurements of farmlands to determine the 50% subsidy then the farmers would be expected to pay their own part of the other 50% before tractors would be mobilized to their various farmlands, adding that the programme is in partnership with LO tractors.

Barrister Olasunkami Olaleye equally stressed that for now, each beneficiary farmer would only get support for maximum of 10 acres of farmland to enable the privileges spread across for all farmers in the State addicting that the interested farmers should contact booking agents Officer – Agric Extension Officers in their various local Government for inspection of their farm to take coordinate.

He also reaffirmed the commitment of the State Government to continually expand its agricultural sector and provide necessary interventions to farmers in achieving its visions of guaranteeing food security and reduction in prices of foodstuff in the State.

In his remarks, the chairman of Oyo State Agric Credit Corporation, Alhaji Taofeek Akewugbagold, commended Governor Seyi Makinde’s ingenuity in conceiving the programme, assuring farmers that the government would not only support farmers to plough their farms, but continue to provide more assistance while acknowledging that though the 1 billion naira agric credit loan had been exhausted, farmers should expect more loans and interventions.

In her closing remarks, the permanent secretary, ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Mrs. Christianah Abioye, stated that the various efforts of the present Government would encouraged more young once to embrace farming urged the farmers to ensure their farm land for cultivation is well cleared before tractor can be deployed to their farm.

Adding that contact of the booking agents have been released for the interested members, farmers.

Adesoji Olusegun,

Media Officer,

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.