Operations and Administration

• This department is in charge of human resources management of the Ministry. It is saddled with the strategic approach to the effective management of people in the Ministry. Some of the duties are as follows:
  • Taking charge of the general administration of the Ministry.
  • Advising on general administration matters in the Ministry.
  • Responsible for assisting in the formation of policies and the execution.
  • Ensuring the maintenance of discipline and cohesion in the Ministry.
  • Preparation of annual estimates of the Agency and staff turnover, in conjunction with the directorate of Finance and Accounts.
  • Advising on all procurement activities of the Ministry.
  • Maintaining the stores and government inventories.
  • Ensuring compliance with due process and the provision of the Procurement Act in all contracts and procurements in the Ministry.
  • Supervising the purchases and supplies section of the Ministry.
  • Responsible for the general maintenance of Ministry.
  • Interpreting extant rules-General Order, Financial Regulations and Civil Service Commission; 
  • Regulation and Establishment circulars, as may be related to the directorate concerned.
  • Taking responsibility for such duties as Personnel Management, Project Analysis, Investment, Management, Financial Management and Management Services in the Ministry.
  • Coordinating training programmes of Staff of the Ministry.
  • Serving as member of Departmental or Ministerial Tenders Board and advising on the Due Process implications of contract terms.
  • Performing any other functions as may be assigned from time to time by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.

• The Finance and Accounts Directorate oversees the source and application of funds in the Ministry, keeping of all the necessary books of accounts, in compliance with the global best practices.

• Taking charge of the accounting duties in the Ministry.
• Advising in the disbursement of funds of the Ministry.
• Taking charge of the disbursement of funds of the Ministry.
• Advising the Chief Executive, the Accounting Officer and other departmental head on accounting matters.
• Responsible for the development and installation of efficient account system of the Ministry/Department, with appropriate in-built controls as approved by the office of the Accountant General, in line with the financial regulations.
• Managing of all funds and public money due and receivable in the Ministry/Department, to ensure improved, efficient and effective collection of all Government revenue.
• Directing replies to, and advising the Accounting officer on Audit and Public Accounts Committee queries.
• The Director as a signatory A with DAS as a co-signatory to all cheques ad monetary instruments provided that in any case where the Permanent Secretary requires himself/herself to be satisfies as to the authenticity or correctness of what is being presented to him or her, he or she is at liberty to refer the documents presented to any other person for authentication.
• Serving as member of Departmental or Ministerial Tenders Board and advising on financial implications of contract terms.
• Preparing periodic/Annual Financial Reports of the Ministry/Department and ensuring timely submission of monthly financial statement to the Accounting officer of the Ministry or Department.
• Collecting the financial returns from MDA when deployed in the Treasury.
• Appraising Government Investment in Commercial/Industrial enterprises.
• Compilation of cash flow for costs and projection.
• Advising on the control and management of funds, investments, loans and guarantee of the Ministry/Department.
• Interpretation of Financial Regulations and Treasury circulars.
• Performing any other functions as may be assigned by the Chief Executive/Accounting officer of the Ministry.

• The Ministry is divided into Departments and Specialized Units, with the Headquarters at the State Secretariat. The Ministry coordinates all agricultural activities in the four geographical zones of the State through the zonal offices and outstations.
• In the process of actualizing the objectives afore-listed, there are Twelve Departments:
• Administration and Supplies.
• Finance and Accounts
• Agricultural Engineering Services.
• Crops and Farm Settlement.
• Produce Services.
• Veterinary Services.
• Animal Husbandry Services.
• Planning, Research and Statistics.
• Rural Development
• Rural Community Development Centre (RCDC), Awe.
• Fisheries.
• Regulation and Enforcement.

And, Seven (7) Specialized Programmes/Units and Agency :

• Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA).
• Tree Crops Development Unit (TCDU).
• Oyo State Agricultural Inputs Supply Unit (OYSAISU).
• FADAMA Project.
• Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Programme (RAAMP).
• Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN).
• Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State (ACCOS).

• The Department of Animal Husbandry Services, in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, was a division under the Livestock Services Department until 18th September, 2013 when it was granted a full- fledged Department.

MANDATE
• Range and Pasture management.
• Animal Feed and Feed Security.
• Animal Breeding and Conservation.
• Commercial Ruminant and Monogastric production and management.
• Animal Product, Processing, and preservation.
• Livestock Economic and Marketing.

VISION AND MISSION

• Formulation of policies to transform livestock activities in the State.
• Stimulate increase in livestock production and improvement in the quality of livestock products.

OBJECTIVES AND PRIMARY FUNCTION

• Formulation of policies on livestock resources, production and conservation.
• Rendering Pastoral Services, establishing grazing reserves, pasture and stock routes development.
• Promoting the development of livestock products and market.
• Promoting economic empowerment of pastoralists and other livestock farmers.
• Operate breeding and conservation centres in the State.
• Manpower and vocational development in animal production and processing.
• Oversee the improvement of the productivity and output of all livestock species in the State.
• Regulation of activities of the feed industry in the State.
• Develop and enforce standard operation guidelines/rules in animal production and transportation.
• Initiate and maintain operating standards for the hatcheries.
• Initiate and maintain regular livestock census, data bank and efficient livestocks Market Information system (MIS) for all species of animal production.
• Supervising movement of animals within the State.
• Develop a comprehensive policy on breeding and genetics.
• Registration of Livestock Farms, Hatcheries and Abattoirs in the State.
• Collaboration with related bodies/agencies to improve improve livestock production in the State.

ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT

The present administration has been making a lot of efforts to increase its earnings internally to enable it fulfill its financial obligations. Agriculture, which had been the mainstay of government's economy in the past is a very vital source of this much desired revenue. A very strong agricultural regulation and enforcement is to complement the anticipated increased activity in the agricultural sector, because of the avowed resolve of the government to unlock the state’s economic potentials; through agriculture and agricultural value chains. All and any outstanding funds, loans and taxes of the government must be recovered

MANDATE

• Enforcement of existing agricultural laws to strengthen identified revenue sources.
• Identification of new revenue sources.
• Carry out the process of formulating laws that will back newly identified revenue sources.
• Updating of existing laws in line with the prevailing economic realities and any other duties assigned.

KEY FUNCTIONS

• Enforcement of registration and renewal of registration.
• Enforcement of payment of outstanding dues, loans, rents, levies and any other fees.
• Recovery of outstanding loans and funds.
• Verification and enforcement of compliance with signed M.O.Us and agreement.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION / MANDATE

• The existence of agricultural engineering services department is as old as the establishment of the Ministry of Agriculture and saddled with the following mandates:
• Design/Procurement/Operation/Maintenance services and Repair of Agricultural Machineries.
• Development/Design of training in various aspects of farm mechanization.
• Design/Development/Maintenance of irrigation and water
  resources/conservation.
• Design/Construction/Maintenance/Repair of utility buildings and office equipment.
• Procurement/Maintenance/Repairs of utility vehicles.

VISION AND MISSION

• To enhance farmers' production capacity at a price that puts neither the farmers nor the consumers at a disadvantage.
• To enhance the quality of lives of the farmers.
• To ensure the availability of agricultural products all-year round.

OBJECTIVES

• To raise agricultural practice from subsistence to commercial level
  through the application of modern technologies.
• To create enabling environment for farmers to have easy access to modern agricultural machineries.
• To attract the interest of youths in the business of agriculture by
  providing rural infrastructures- Farm Estates, Roads, Water,
  Electricity, etc.

FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Rendering tractor hiring services to farmers in the State.
• Agricultural land preparation/tillage operations.
• General maintenance/repairs of office equipment and utility buildings.
• Design/Construction and Maintenance of pens, cages,
  farmsteads/structures.
• Testing new in-coming agricultural machineries on adaptability and suitability.
• Design/construction and Testing of simple agricultural tools/machines for farmers use in farm operations.
• Tractor Allocation Scheme.
• Advising government on agricultural engineering policies and programs.
• Liaison services with other sister professional MDAs.

• The above listed functions are pursued through the following divisions/Schemes of the department

• Tractor Hiring Unit,
• Station Management,
• Farm Mechanization Training Center (F.M.T.C.),
• Tractor Allocation Scheme,
• Heavy Duty Equipment Services,
• Assisting government in formulating agricultural engineering policies and programs.

• Pest control and enlightenment services,
• Grains purchase,
• Carrying out the control of domestic pests in offices and homes, and
• Inspection and Grading of Agricultural produce.
The aim of the grain purchase, storage, preservation and marketing is to buy excess grains from farmers during the period of harvest. In the performance of these statutory functions, the department makes use of professional staff, technical staff and supporting staff. For operational convienience, the department divides the State into two (2) zones. The zones are Ibadan Zone and Oyo Zone with their offices located at Onireke, Ibadan and Awe Road Oyo respectively. The Produce Inspection areas that carry out the field operations are under the supervision of the Zonal Offices, Ibadan Zone has five (5) produce inspection Areas while three (3) produce inspection areas are under the Oyo Zone. The department is one of the revenue generation arms of the ministry through inspection and grading of produce, registration and renewal of merchants license, storekeepers license, store haulages and warehouse rents. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES In line with the statutory functions of the department, the aims and objectives are highlighted below;
• To ensure the enforcement of quality standards established for the scheduled crops, so that the ultimate consumer receives the best.
• To ensure proper grading of scheduled crops.
• To ensure export crops reach world market in top-most grade for maximum foreign exchange for the country.
• To bring the produce inspection services as near as possible to the peasant population.
• To cooperate with research organization for perfecting storage and grading techniques; and passing results of research to the farming populace (communities).
• To work for improvement in our grading of produce by assisting in formulating progressive policy on the quality control, enforcing produce inspection law, regulations and directives aims at maintaining high quality.
• To ensure the effective monitoring of movement of produce within and at the State borders in consonance with Oyo State of Nigeria Produce Edict 13 of 1987.
• To carry out pre- and post-harvest pest control so as to prevent damages incidental to pest; and poor storage harvest and store for ultimate sale during off season period or scarcity.
STATUTORY (PRIMARY) FUNCTIONS
• Inspection and grading of produce for export and local processing.
• Pest control and enlightenment services.
• Grains purchase, storage, preservation and marketing (Buffer Stock Programme).
A. INSPECTION AND GRADING OF PRODUCE (AGRICULTURAL) Quality determination of produce meet for export or local processing is carried out under this function. This is to ensure that all graded produce conform with internationally prescribed quality standards for such produce, enhance foreign exchange earnings for the country, widen the revenue base for the State and enable the farmers to get good price for their farm produce. These are the greatest cost benefit to the government and the public. This is the major revenue yielding project of the Department under this function, scheduled crops cocoa, palm kernels, cashew nuts, shea nuts and cotton are examined and graded for export/ local consumption. The rates charged by the government on every tonnage of these produces are as follows;

S/N	PRODUCE	CHARGES / TONNE (N)
1.	Cocoa	5,000
2.	Palm Kernels	2,000
3.	Cashew Nuts	2,000
4.	Shea Nuts	2,000
5.	Cotton	2,000

B. PEST CONTROL AND ENLIGHTENMENT SERVICES Both pre- and post harvest control is the responsibility for the Department. The objective is to increase yield per hectare through pre-harvest control of pest on the field and reduce post-harvest losses to pest through adequate storage and preservation. The department carries out deinfestion of private/public buildings and storage structures. Ministries, Parastatals and Individuals who have pest infestation problems are usually attended to by the Pest Control Unit of the Ministry as a social service. C. GRAINS PURCHASE, STORAGE, PRESERVATION AND MARKETING The main objective of this is to purchase surplus grains (maize) from the producers/ farmers at prices that are economical and beneficial to farmers, which invariably sustain them in production. The maize purchased are stored, preserved and later released to the consumers at affordable process. This is a buffer stock storage programme. The Buffer Stock Storage Programme (BSSP) is among the three tiers of agriculture food storage programme with the aim of preventing post harvest losses. The operation of BSSP is in line with the National Council of Agriculture's decision that each State should store 10% of total output of food produces within its catchments area every year to sustain the programme. The specific objectives of the State Buffer Stock Programme are;
• To purchase grains produces in excess of immediate market demand which may result in a glut and farmers having to accept ridiculously low price.
• To stabilize prices, thus reducing the effect of price fluctuations on both the producers (farmers) and consumer (the public) who otherwise might have to buy at prohibitive prices during period of scarcity.
• To assist in sustaining the State in the event of a bad harvest in any year. The effective period to carry out the purchases is in the month of August to October and Month of December to January. The Department of produce (of the Ministry) has warehouses at different locations within the State which are used for the Storage of grains (Maize) purchased each year. The State is endowed with warehouse, it has five (5) warehouses of 1,000 metric tonnes capacity each at Offa Meta Oyo, 500 metric tonnes each at Saki and Ayete, while the warehouses at Kishi and Iseyin have been abandoned. In addition, Ten thousand (10,000) metric tonnes capacity silo is under construction at Awe road, Oyo

• To train our unemployed youths, graduates, retirees and other Government Agencies on commercial agriculture and agro-allied enterprises cutting across various fields of agriculture in order to make them self-reliant and employers of labour, thus reducing poverty, crimes and other social vices in the State and thereby promote food security.
OBJECTIVES AND PRIMARY FUNCTIONS
The Department is saddled with the statutory responsibility of
• training young people, unemployed graduates and other categories of individuals with a view to making them economically viable and to become employers of labour,
• To increase food production and standard of living of the people of Oyo state and thereby promote the poverty alleviation as part of government agenda.

• Control of diseases in domestic animals and wild animals, as well as  those that are communicable between man and animal (zoonotic).
• Treatment and vaccination of animals, including poultry.
• Inspection of animals that are slaughtered for human consumption to ensure wholesome and safe meat for the public.
• Control of movement of animals in and out of the State in a bid to control the spread of trans-boundary animal diseases, through the inspection of animals.
• Disease monitoring through quarantine of sick animals and prompt removal of dead animals.
• Matters relating to cattle movement permit and cattle trade.
• Registration and renewal of cattle markets.
• Prevention of epidemics in the livestock population of the State.
• Animal vaccination programmes.
• Surveillance and monitoring of animal diseases from infection.
• Disease notification to the State and relevant National and International bodies.
• Fumigation of animal houses, pens and farms/establishments.
• Establishment and maintenance of veterinary laboratory units.
• Control and regulation of private veterinary practices.
• Control and regulation of veterinary drugs and biological.
• Control of importation and exportation of animals, animal product and by products.
• Veterinary extension services to improve livestock farmers education.
• Laboratory diagnosis current animals and emerging disease.
• Poultry diagnostic services with meat inspection of poultry products, poultry disease.
• Monitoring, registration and regular monitoring of poultry farms.
• Enforcement of bio-security on farms.
• Rehabilitation and settlement of cattle farmers; establishment of stock routes and establishment/maintenance of grazing reserves.
• Prevention of communal clash between farmers and Fulani.

VISION AND MISSION

• To provide the highest quality medical and surgical care to our patients, while providing our clients with necessary education and assistance in all aspects of animal care and ownership.
• To provide exceptional care to our clients and patients, during every visit in a caring and compassionate manner.
• To provide a complete veterinary public health to prevent outbreak of diseases of animal origin to man and from animal to animal.
• To sustain viable economy through animal production.

OBJECTIVES AND PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

• Carrying out general veterinary duties in Government Veterinary Hospital, Clinics and Livestock Farms.
• Research into infectious diseases of livestock and poultry.
• Carrying out medical and surgical treatment and advising livestock/poultry farmers in various aspect of controlling the spread of animal diseases.
• Overseeing veterinary services in Local Government areas.
• Control of animal deceases and pests.
• Veterinary statistical record/data keeping.
• Initiating the review of veterinary public health and meat inspection policies programmes.
• Taking charge of veterinary public health and collaboration with human health practitioners in relevant area, to achieve “one health, one world”.
• Liaising with relevant National and International organizations in Veterinary Matters.

OPERATION AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS

The Department operates in four (4) zones in the State namely: Ibadan/Ibarapa, Oyo, Ogbmoso and Saki zones. It was created out of the former Livestock Services in the year 2013. THE VETERINARY DIVISION: The Department operates Eight (8) units and the reports of their activities between 2011 to date are as indicated below: (A) VETERINARY CLINICAL SERVICE UNIT: The unit is concerned with the treatment and vaccination animals in various Clinics and Hospitals in the state. In all, there are nine (9) Veterinary Hospitals and Eleven (11) Clinics in the state which are controlled by the State Government. These are:
• Mokola Veterinary Hospital
• Igbo-Ora Veterinary Hospital
• Iseyin Veterinary Hospital
• Oyo Veterinary Hospital
• Ago-Are Veterinary Hospital
• Otu Veterinary Hospital
• Saki Veterinary Hospital
• Kishi Veterinary Hospital
• Ogbomoso Veterinary Hospital
• The Veterinary Clinics are:
• Idi-Ayunre Veterinary Clinics
• Eruwa Veterinary Clinics
• Mapo Veterinary Clinics
• Ajaawa Veterinary Clinics
• Omi-Adio Veterinary Clinics
• Igboho Veterinary Clinics
• Sepeteri Veterinary Clinics
• Moniya Veterinary Clinics
• Okeho Veterinary Clinics
• Bodija Veterinary Clinics
• Sango Veterinary Clinics
Clinics and sub-clinics are structures located at Local Government Councils and in some cases, Communities wherein only diagnosis and treatment take place. The sub-clinics are scattered in all Local Governments where Hospital and Clinics are not present. The State Veterinary Hospital Mokola is the major Veterinary Hospital consisting of Diagnostic laboratory, Surgery Theatre, Drug Store and Housing for animals and admission as well as Training of Students. AMBULATORY SERVICES: This involves taking medical services to farms; there are many large animal and poultry farms that require Veterinary attention. (B) CONTROL POSTS AND CATTLE MARKETS: This unit is concerned with
• The control of movement of livestock animals into and out of the State in a bid to control spread of animal diseases through thorough
• Inspection of the intra-movement of live animals.
• Registration of Cattle Dealers.
• Disease monitoring through quarantine of mildly sick animal and Prompt removal of dead animals from the populace.
• The spread of the trans-boundary animal diseases into the State is effectively prevented.
• Matters relating to Cattle Movement Permit and Permit fees.
• Matters relating to Cattle Traders Union, Registration and Renewal of Licenses.
The control post is therefore the first line of defense of the State against the influx of communicable and other zoonotic disease like Tuberculosis, Avian Influenza and Anthrax etc into the State. The various Control Posts have been strategically sited to serve as “Protective and Insulators” for animals in the State. This is very vital to protect Oyo State citizens from diseases especially Zoonotic diseases (diseases easily transmissible between man and animals) and enhancement of viable livestock sector which is in tandem with the government of the day agenda on Food Security. The following are the locations of the various Control posts in the State: (i) Saki, (ii) Kishi iii) Oke-0gun (iv) Fasola (v) Oyo (vi) Akinyele (vii) Iseyin (viii) Igboho (ix) Igbeti (x) Ago-Are (xi) Igbo-0ra The major Control Post at Ogbomoso is no more in operation due to the order of the Inspector General (IG) of Police on road blocks. The department resolved to place emphasis on embankment and its embankment strategy for effective quality control and revenue generation. (C) VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT: This unit is concerned with control of diseases of animal origin that are communicable between man and animals and animal to animal. Meat Inspection: This unit is concerned with the inspection of animals that are slaughtered in all designated slaughter houses in the state in order to ensure that wholesome and safe meat for the public remains the pre-occupation of the Veterinary Public Health Officer through systematic examinations of food animals such as Cattle, Goats, Sheep and Pigs, before and after slaughter with a view to ascertaining whether they are infected by certain scheduled or zoontic diseases. The inspection is usually from Monday to Sunday between 6.00 am and 2:00pm which is the peak period of slaughtering. Slaughtered animals are inspected at post- mortem through thorough visual inspection, palpation cum incision and a tentative diagnosis is based on the lesions observed on the organs and tissues of the animals. Other functions performed by this unit are:
• Raiding of illegally slaughtered animals.
• Registration of slaughter slabs, abattoirs, meat shops etc.
• Public enlightenment programmes on public health.
Bodija abattoir was the major abattoir in the State with the major number of animals slaughtered and inspected until June 2018 when the State Government enforced the movement of Butchers in Ibadanland to the Central Abattoir, the only accredited new Ultra-Modern Central Abattoir constructed at Amosun Village Akinyele Local Government Area having modern sophisticated machineries to ensure that meats presented to the public are wholesome and hygienic for human consumption. It is important to note that the animal slaughtering and inspection in the eleven (11) Local Government Councils in Ibadan and environs are carried out at this Central Abattoir. The Centre which has been commissioned by the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi on 17th December, 2014 is sine qua non in Nigeria and the whole of West Africa. (A) The Central Abattoir was not used because the Butchers refused to move down from various Local Government Areas and until June 2018 when the State Government having done everything through due process enforced the movement of all Butchers to the Central Abattoir. However the State Government has put in place enforcement team to arrest erring butchers and try them at the Mobile Court specifically put in place for issues relating to the Central Abattoir. The Central Abattoir issue is being handled by the Bureau Investment Public Private Partnership (BIPP). (D) VETERINARY EPIDEMIOLOGY UNIT: This unit is concerned with the following:
• Prevention of Epidemics in the Livestock population of the State.
• Animal Vaccination Programmes such as Anti-Rabies, CBPP and PPR etc.
• Surveillance and zero- monitoring of diseases.
• Disease notification to the State Director’s Office.
• Fumigation of animal houses (kennels).
The unit is in charge of control and prevention of disease outbreak in animals (Epidemics). The diseases targeted are diseases that could devastate the animal population. Under the supervision of the head of this unit, animals are massively vaccinated using vaccines which could either be live or attenuated vaccinations. Vaccinations carried out which involve large number of animals in this Unit are referred to as “Veterinary Campaigns” and during any of these Campaigns against targeted diseases, Staff of Veterinary Department move out in their numbers to assist the Epidemiology Officers. This Vaccination Campaign is often carried out in all thirty three (33) Local Government in the State. The Campaign is supposed to be carried out yearly basis during the dry season for CBPP Vaccination in Cattle and PPR vaccination in Sheep and Goats. Dogs are vaccinated with Anti-Rabies Vaccine at three (3) months old and subsequently done yearly. The Department under this unit recorded the following:
• Vaccination of Cattle against CBPP
• Vaccination of Goat and Sheep against PPR
• Vaccination Poultry
(E) LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS AND EMERGING DISEASES UNIT: This unit deals with
• Provision of adequate laboratory facilities and services for disease diagnosis
• Provision of legal and regulatory framework for Trans-boundary disease
• Engage in bio-medical research work
• Institute investigation, confirmation, prevention and control measures for emerging disease
• Poultry Diagnostic Services: This sub unit is concerned with the following:
• Meat Inspection of Poultry products
• Poultry treatment and Diagnostic services for the State
• Poultry disease monitoring
• Registration and regular monitoring of Poultry farm
• Supervising Poultry slaughter houses
• Providing drugs sensitivity test
• Enforcement of bio-security in poultry farms and markets
During this period, the Department under this sub unit inspects poultry meats. Avian Influenza Control Project: This project was established following the outbreak of Avian Influenza in the country in 2006. The project was established as preparedness towards the control of Avian Influenza in the State. It was jointly sponsored by the World Bank, Federal and State Government. It put under control first outbreak and of course the last in 2007 and since then Routine Passive and Active Surveillance of birds on Poultry farms, live bird markets and domestically reared birds have helped to control the disease is an ongoing exercise by our officers that handles the various Veterinary outfits in the State as Project Officers. The State Rapid Response to Epidemics: Organized in the Ministry of Health of which the head of this sub unit and other Stakeholders held several meeting on preparedness of the State towards prevention and control of Zoonotic Epidemics such as Cholera, Anthrax and Ebola. Zoonotic Epidemic Response Team: Organized by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in year 2014. During this period, the Department through this sub unit recorded the following: The resurgence of Avian Influenza in Nigeria in January 2015 affected the State with record of outbreak in six (6) different farms in different locations within the State. These affected farms had been depopulated by culled and buried of all the affected bird. Four farms out of the affected farms had been compensated by the Federal Government. GRAZING RESERVES AND STOCK ROUTES: This unit is concerned with:
• Rehabilitation and settlement of Cattle rearers at a suitable grazing land in order to avoid farmer/ Pastoralist clashes.
• Establishment of Stick Routes in the grazing reserves.
• Felling of tree and cultivation of grasses in the grazing reserves.
• Prevention of communal clash between Farmers and Fulani (Cattle rearer).
There are two (2) Grazing Reserves established in Oyo State. Igangan Grazing Reserves located in Ibarapa North Local Government Council of the State covers about 5,400 hectares of land established had been gazette, surveyed and monumental. Waasinmi Grazing Reserves located in Iwajowa Local Government Council of the State covers about 8,000 hectares of land had been surveyed. Cattle route of 136km was demarcated and surveyed by the joint effort of both the Federal Government and State Government counterpart funds. Milk collection centre, Livestock Services centre and Borehole had also been installed in Waasinmi Grazing Reserves. HIDES AND SKIN UNIT (LEATHER AND SHOE UNIT): This unit is concerned with the following:
• Production of quality leather
• Introduction of suitable technology (tanning) into handling of Hides and Skin processing
• Production of new shoes, bags and wallet
• Repair of use shoes, bags
• It also serves as a training centre for student of Tertiary Institution on practical Hides and Skin Technology. However the unit need complete restructuring as all capable and qualified staff has retired
VETERINARY MONITORING UNIT: This is the administrative unit of the Directorates that deal with Staff matters, Livestock Statistics and monitoring of Revenue generated by the Department. The Veterinary Monitoring Unit within this period monitored the welfare of the Staff ACTIVITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENTINTRODUCTION: The Department of Rural Development is an off-shot of the defunct Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI). The Agency have the mandate for the progressive integration and transformation of rural life and landscape.Furthermore, the Department resided in the Governor’s Office which was severed and moved to the then Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Rural Development (MANR & RD) in the year 2000, now Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MA&RD). The Department of Rural Development in the MANR & RD was subsequently biffotted into two (2) i.e. Rural Development Department and Rural Community Development Centre in the year 2001 under the former Executive Governor Alhaji Lam Adesina. THE VISION Integration and transformation of rural life and landscape for the full attainment of rural sector potentials in Oyo State. THE MISSION Supportive operations for both rural natural and human resources development for the optimal utilization of their potentials in promoting rural lives and productive activities to achieve a wholesome rural sector development and growth. MANDATES
• Promotion of rural productive activities
• Supporting human resource development
• Community mobilization for development and rural financing enhancement of rural infrastructure development e.g.
• Rural travel and transport programme e.g. road and culverts
• Rural energy e.g. rural electrification
• Rural water and sanitation e.g. deep wells, V.I.P. toilets
• Special programme for special people (vulnerable groups) e.g. youth, women, retires, handicapped etc

OBJECTIVES The Department of Rural Development was established basically for continuity of efforts and speedy completion of various on-going rural development project embarked upon by the former DFFRI. The Department was established in 1994 with various aims and objectives, among which are:
• To promote productive capacities of the rural masses and enhance the economic opportunities open to them in the areas of rural mobilization, rural industrialization, improved farming technology and development of rural based industries
• To support rural feeder road net-work programme involving construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads to enhance mobility of human and material resources in the rural areas to market centres and urban areas
• To develop a rural water supply scheme that will alleviate the suffering of rural populace with a view to eradicating water borne diseases and reducing the drudgery associated with searching for water in the dry season
• To develop strong capacity to collect, analyze and provide information on all aspects of integrated rural development in the State
• To encourage and support activities that are aimed at enhancing food production and provision of infrastructures to rural areas and any other rural development activities
• To effectively mobilize the rural populace to create a better sense of awareness especially, in the areas of initiation of self help projects and maintenance of infrastructure already provided by government
• To liaise, cooperate and coordinate the activities of agencies either in the public or Private sector that have complementary objectives with the Department of Rural Development
• ORGANIZATIONAL SET-UP Food and Agriculture with primary mandate in:
• for food safety and food security in the rural areas
• production of fingerlings for the fish farmers and interested members of public at subsidized price
• plantain production for public consumption as well as raw materials to cottage juice factories
• Rural Infrastructure with primary mandate for rural access and mobility involving: (i)Construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of rural feeder roadsacross the 33 Local Government Councils (LGCs) of State (this is done to ensure easy accessibility of rural areas and easy evacuation of farm produce to the market centres, regardless of the farm location in the State)
• Rural Water and Sanitation with primary mandate on the provision and maintenance of portable and drinkable water points for domestic uses; provision and maintenance of toilets (VIP toilets)and other essential environmental facilities in the rural areas. The mandate involves rehabilitation of deep wells fitted with/without hand pumps and sinking/digging of deep wells and springs development
• Rural Energy with primary aim/mandate for the provision and maintenance of renewable energies in the rural areas
• Rural Industrialization with primary mandate for development along the value chain for both agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises. Training, promotion and empowerment of the populace (rural dwellers) on rural productive activities e.g. beekeeping and non-crop enterprises such as fish smoking, cassava processing, Shea butter processing, locust bean processing, soap making, etc. It is also aimed at assisting in increasing income generation capacity of the rural dwellers and organizing special programme for special people e.g. Youth, Women, Aged and Handicapped etc. In Oyo State
• Community Mobilization for Development. This is the foundation of rural development. The mandate is for communities’ mobilization and sensitization to understand and support government policies, and to maintain and keep watch on government provided projects/infrastructure in their communities. Mobilization and enlightenment of the rural populace towards protection and maintenance of Government projects in their domain, as well as the need for the self-help projects execution
• General Administration with the mandate for smooth day to day running of the Department for efficiency and effectiveness; consultancy and linkage in line with the State Government policy to others including: Government Agencies, Private Organizations, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), as the case may be
• Community Development (Social Activities)for mobilization and enlightenment of the rural populace, towards protection and maintenance of government projects in their domains, as well as the need for the self-help projects execution, consultancy and linkage, in line with the State Government Policy, to other Government Agencies, Private Organizations, Non Governmental Organizations(NGOs),as the case may be

SITUATION REPORT 1. Food and Agriculture This Division is the main revenue generating division in the Department and it is known for:
• Fish fingerlings production for sales which is continuum;
• Pilot Apiary for practical apiculture and honey production for sales; and
• Plantain plantation which also generates revenue
  2. Rural Water & Sanitation Division This is the division that is responsible for the provision of potable water points in the rural areas, sub-urban and urban centres. Inventory taken for all the hand dug deep wells fitted with/without pump, dug by DFFRI/Oyo State Rural Development Department across all the 33 LGCs and the 38 LCDAs in Oyo State is on-going, after which, on-the-spot assessment shall follow. 3. Rural Infrastructure This is another major division of the Department that deals with provision of rural feeder roads and hydraulic structures such as ring and box culverts. Currently, the State, having met all the criteria laid down for participation in Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) by the World Bank, has been enlisted as One (1) of the Thirteen (13) States in the Federation that would participate in RAAMP. With the State participation in this World Bank Assisted Road Project. RAAMP is at the last stage of becoming effective. 4. Rural Industrialisation This division is saddled with the responsibility to promote the rural productive activities. Under this division 400 beekeepers had been trained and empowered on Modern Beekeeping for honey production. Similarly, a number of trainings and retraining had been organized for Shea butter Processors and Locust bean to improve the quality and marketability of their products  
• Beekeeping: Loan recovery efforts by the Department in collaboration with the Regulation and Enforcement Department still continued; Expansion of the pilot apiary with additional Fifteen (15) bee hives and purchase of bee farming utensils was carried out early January, 2020
• Shea butter: An enlarged Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Shea butter value chain was held in 2019; The outcome of the stakeholders’ meeting gave rise to the development of Actionable Plans which the Department is about to start executing; The Ministry held a meeting with MEDA, GSA, AAK A/S, and NASPAN on the Shea butter Value Chain Development in Oyo State early January, 2020.The Corvid 19 pandemic is putting many of the line-up for execution on hold
  Constraints (General)  
• Inadequacy of Staff strength; the Staff strength is 10 with 2 adhoc Staff
• Paucity of fund for the execution of programmes in the Department
• Mobility Problem – Efficient mobility is required for the effective monitoring of activities under the Department

BRIEF INFORMATION ON THE DEPARTMENT
The Department started as Oyo State Integrated Self-Employment Scheme (OSISES) in 1986 with edict 10 of the year. It became Crops and OSISES Department in the year 2002 when the Crops Division of the then Crops and Engineering Department was annexed to OSISES vide circular letter referenced No. APP/6/Vol.V/60 of 27th July, 2000.This policy shift caused the Crop Enumeration, Valuation and Compensation, Seed Development, Agricultural shows units to be added to the primary responsibility of embarking on projects that can encourage our youths to take farming as a means of employment and vocation hitherto performed by OSISES to the new Department.However, administration of Farm Settlement which was the core function of the Crops Division was not transferred to this Department until year 2005. This however changed the Departments name to Crops and Farm Settlement.
UNITS: The Department operates around the following units:
• Schools’ Agricultural Programme of Oyo State (SAPOS)
• Youth Empowerment Project
• Crop Type Multiplication Project
• Farm Settlement Scheme
• Schools’ Agricultural Programme of Oyo State (SAPOS)
The programme designed primarily to expose secondary school students to practical aspects of various agricultural enterprises covers all secondary schools in the State and the school for the disabled at Moniya, Ibadan. The main bases for allocation of projects to school are her natural endowment and security especially poultry project. An inter-ministerial committee to see to the effective implementation of the programme was put in place. It comprised of Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Information & Finance and TESCOM. Proceeds are to be kept in the school’s Agric account for the project to be revolving. The monitoring officer from the Department in charge of the school is to be the principal signatory. The 31 schools participating in the poultry sub-programme have replaced their stock one time or the other. The replacement stocks are raised to eight weeks old by the Department of Livestock Services. There are 231 schools participating in the arable crop production project and ten schools are functioning out of 16 that were initially selected for oil palm cultivation Youth Empowerment Project; This unit has the responsibility of initiating projects that will arose the interest of youths in farming and provide gainful employment for them. Many of the participants under this project have absconded due to stoppage of stipend given to participants in the early life of project
• Crop Type Multiplication Project
The unit is entrusted with production of high quality planting materials to enable farmers in the State get them at reasonable prices.
• Farm Settlement Scheme
The establishment of Ido (multi-site) Farm Settlement in 2007 increased the number of conventional Farm Settlements in the State to 9. These are:
• Akufo Farm Settlement in Ido Local Government
• Ijaye Farm Settlement in Akinyele Local Government
• Lalupon Farm Settlement in Lagelu Local Government
• Ipapo/Iseyin Farm Settlement in Itesiwaju Local Government
• Ilora Farm Settlement in Afijio Local Government
• Ogbomoso Farm Settlement in Ogbomoso South Local Government
• Eruwa Farm Settlement in Ibarapa East Local Government
• Iresaadu Farm Settlement in Surulere Local Government
• Ido Farm Settlement in Ido Local Government
The three sites of Ido Farm Settlement are at Olapade, Adetola and Olowa. The total hectares of land in all Farm Settlements in the State are 21,996.13.Under the Scheme, a sum of N292m was approved and released for upgrading of Ijaiye and Akufo Farm Settlements in 2010. The project has been abandoned at different stages of execution
• Challenges
Accessibility to the farm settlements and to individual farm holdings has been a major problem militating against effective performance of settlers in the entire Farm Settlements. This has greatly affected their scope and consequently their productivity. The Department is looking forward to fixing of farm settlement roads and constructing culvert across the major streams to ease transportation. Also, lack of social amenities like electricity, health center, schools and farm houses/labor lines have been a lame to effective utilization of the Farm settlement land across the State COLLABORATION WITH PRIVATE INVESTORS IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE IN THE STATE. Efforts are on to substantially boost food production in the State and create employment opportunities for our teeming youths by partnering with private investors to utilize various farmlands released to the State Government, mostly via Local Governments across the State. Details of farmland allocations to investors on the non-conventional Farm Settlements are as follows: <

S/N	Investor	Size(HA)	Location	Remarks
1.	Courtney Ambrose Farm	1,388,199	Guguru, Oriire Local Govt.	Paid perimeter survey fee, survey completed by the Office of Surveyor General, signed lease agreement and had moved to the site, but with pocket of problems from land donor because of lack of compensation. This has led to litigation
2.	Vegefresh Nigeria Limited	5,000	Ayete, Ibarapa North Local Govt.	Paid perimeter survey fee to Ministry of Lands & Survey. Surveying had started but stopped by the community with the view that the company should utilize the already surveyed area. The process was inconclusive because of failure to get His Excellency approval. However, utilization of depleted areas of Forest Reserve for commercial has made us to discover that the land in question might fall within Igangan Forest Reserve
3.	Allied Atlantic	5,000	Otu, Itesiwaju Local Govt.	All procedure completed and investor had moved to site

• Collaboration with Tree Crops Development Unit (TCDU)
• The Department established 50 hectares of oil palm plantation at Crops Farm in Ijaye Farm Settlement and 70 hectares of cashew at both Igboora and Iseyin crop farm for TCDU. The plantationwere however parceled into smaller plots for allocation to interested leases. This exercise has affected fund released to carry out cutting of fire traces which is due in all the plantations.General Administration:
• Staffing Situation
• The Department has 15 staff with only 8 of them in officer and superintendent cadres. The Department is highly short staffed and this affects effective supervision of activities in our stations across the State.

The overall statutory duties of the Department are as follows:
• Rendering of Monthly Situation Reports, Monthly Reports of Activities, Quarterly and Mid-Year Progress Reports on Projects/Programs of the Ministry.
• Preparing and reviewing of Ministry’s Annual Progress Report.
• Rendering of Annual Report for the Ministry.
• Collation of Progress Reports on Budget Implementation and Coordination of Revenue Targets from Projects.
• Monitoring and Evaluation of on-going projects for effective management, improvement and/or expansion.
• Monitoring of Ministry’s projects and rendering quick monitoring report for effective and efficient appropriate action.
• Analysis and evaluation of field reports for timely intervention to make projects perform to specification, achieve set targets and to identify bottlenecks and problems at field levels for discussion in order to evolve solution.
• Coordinate and Supervise UNICEF assisted Nutrition and Household Food Security (NHFS) Programme and World Bank Assisted Programme and Development Projects in the State.
• Coordination of the World Food Day Celebration, Agricultural Shows and Farmers’ Festivals, International Exhibitions, Trade Fairs e.t.c.
• Perform other ad-hoc assignments.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ACTIVITIES IN THE DEPARTMENT

The Department coordinates the technical and professional activities of the Ministry through collation, assessment, monitoring and evaluation of project implementation. At the commencement of the administration in 2011, a proposal on Youth Empowerment Programme (YEAP-O), for the young graduates was initiated and coordinated by the Department before it was taken over by the department of administration and supplies. However, the department is the secretariat for one of the agricultural programmes of the outgone administration tagged “Oyo State Agricultural Initiative (OYSAI)” in this regard, letter for the requisition of 7000Ha farm land from the 33 Local Government Councils were dispatched and to which, only Seventeen Local Governments comprising Iseyin, Saki East, Saki West, Iwajowa, Itesiwaju, Ido, Oyo West, Kajola, Afijio, Oriire, Atiba, Irepo, Ibarapa North, Ibarapa Central, Oyo East, Oorelope and Olorunsogo responded and participated in the programme. Meanwhile, the department is coordinating the implementation of the Anchor Borrowers Programme of the CBN in the State.

NATIONAL COUNCIL AND STATE COUNCIL ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The Department coordinates both the National and State Council meetings on Agriculture and Rural Development. The last State Council on Agriculture and Rural Development was held in 2010 at Eruwa. Similarly, the Department hosted the State Agricultural show and Farmers’ Festivals in 2008 and 2009 in Ogbomoso and Saki respectively. The programme was not specifically designed to generate revenue, but to bring farmers together. However, in the last two events of the show, appreciable revenue was realized from the events and it was paid to the government coffers. The last National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development was held between Monday 22nd and Friday 26th April, 2019 in Umuahia, Abia State. The State could not participate at the programme due to non-receipt of approval of His Excellency, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde.

SENSITIZATION ON PROVEN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH/NEW FINDINGS.

The Ministry worked on several proposals submitted by Sugarcane Farmers’ Association towards promotion of commercial production and establishment of mini-processing firms across the State in conjunction with OYSADEP and the State Ministry of Trade, Investment and cooperatives. In 2017, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development recorded a success by exporting Nigerian Yam to USA and UK. To this, Oyo State partners- IITA, Nigeria Export Promotion council (NEPC) and Nigeria Quarantine Services (NQS) to ensure exportation of Oyo State yam in the 2018 season. Recently, 40 bags of newly developed yam seeds by IITA were distributed to Oyo State members of Yam Farmers, Processors and Marketers Association for multiplication and redistribution towards table yam production meant for export from Oyo State.

PREPARATION OF MONTHLY REPORT & ANNUAL BUDGET ESTIMATES.<.p> The monthly report of the Ministry is handled by the Department. Similarly, the processing of the Annual Budget Estimates for the Ministry is coordinated by the Department. The Department has just concluded the defense of the 2018 budget proposals before a committee of the Honourable Member of the House of Assembly.

LIAISON SERVICES

The Department performs the duty of liaison agency between the Ministry of Agriculture and other related agencies at both National and International levels on collaboration on technical issues. During the period, the Department coordinated the liaison activities between the Ministry and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission. DAWN Commission is a regional Institution that manages the development initiatives. It works in conjunction with the DFID, USAID and some other foreign donor agencies. The Department represents the Ministry at the quarterly meetings of the Nigerian Zero Hunger Forum (NZHF). The NZHF is an association of Nigerian States Governments in conjunction with the Foreign Assistance to advance the agricultural development and self sustenance of the Country. Pilot Membership of the Forum comprise of Sokoto, Benue, Ogun, Borno and Ebonyi. Other members include Oyo, Kebbi, and Osun etc. The last meeting of the Forum was hosted by Sokoto State in June 2018.

SUPERVISION OF UNICEF – ASSISTED NUTRITION AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY (NHFS) PROGRAMME

All activities relating to this programme are coordinated by the Department. The programme aims at assisting the most vulnerable people, most especially women and the children in the society. Under the programme, UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget established Garri Processing factories at Ido, Ona Ara, Oriire, Oluyole , Olorunsogo, Oyo East, Ibarapa Central, and Surulere Local Government Areas. The Department from time to time monitors the activities of these women processors and educates them on latest information affecting their activities. It is pertinent to report that the Ministry of Economic Planning, being the sponsors of the programme, also carry out independent monitoring on the centres and releases funds for the training of the women processors. The Department in 2013 carried out the training of women processors in twenty-six (26) selected communities across sixteen (16) Local Government Areas of the State.

MANAGEMENT OF THE MINISTRY’S RECORDS AND INFORMATION RESOURCES (DATA, BASIC COMPUTER SERVICES, REGISTRY AND LIBRARY)

The Library is managed by the department. The library receives N1,500.00 for Tribune News paper on monthly basis from the Ministry’s running cost.

OYO STATE AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SCHEME (OYSAIMS):

In conjunction with the office of the Senior Special Adviser on Information, communication and Technology (ICT), the Ministry commenced review of the instruments designed for data capture for Agriculture Sector planning, a member of the department was appointed as the Business Manager of the programme. The arrangement afforded the design and upgrade of the template by the Consultant for field work. So also, after several meeting with the DAWN Commission, it was proposed that the OYSAIMS be further upgraded into better efficient semi autonomous agency of the Ministry of Agriculture under a name Agricultural Land Information System (ALIS).