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Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, has said his YAYI Farmers’ Empowerment Programme is aimed at tackling some of the major constraints limiting agricultural productivity, including low yields, limited access to modern farming equipment, the high cost of agricultural inputs and inadequate financing.
Speaking at the flag-off of the second edition of the programme in Ilaro, Ogun State, Senator Adeola said the initiative is designed to boost agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the state.
As part of the intervention, another 2,557 farmers received modern farming equipment, agricultural inputs and ₦100,000 cash grants, bringing the total number of beneficiaries under the YAYI Farmers’ Empowerment Programme to 8,467.
The latest beneficiaries received the support at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground, Ilaro, under the Renewed Hope Agriculture Initiative for Food Security.
The second edition builds on the maiden programme, which provided training, mechanized farming equipment and agricultural inputs to about 5,910 farmers. With the additional 2,557 beneficiaries, the initiative has now directly reached 8,467 farmers across Ogun State.
Beneficiaries received a broad range of agricultural equipment and inputs, including 10 tractors with complete attachments, 250 haulage tricycles, 1,500 knapsack sprayers, 8,000 bags of NPK and urea fertilizers, 1,000 solar- and gasoline-powered water pumps, 1,000 seed planters and 17 power tillers.
Other items distributed included improved seeds and seedlings, organic liquid fertilizers, agricultural enzymes, pesticides and basic farm tools. Each beneficiary also received a ₦100,000 cash grant to support farming activities and maximize the use of the equipment and inputs provided.
Senator Adeola said a central management team comprising experienced farmers and cluster leaders would oversee the operation and maintenance of shared equipment to ensure sustainability and maximize the programme’s long-term benefits.
According to him, “Our farmers remain critical to our survival and national development because without food security, sustainable growth and human wellbeing cannot be achieved. This second edition of our farmers’ empowerment programme is designed to equip beneficiaries with the tools, resources and financial support they need to increase productivity, improve their incomes and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s food security objectives,” he said.
Among the dignitaries at the event were the APC deputy governorship candidate, Alhaja Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa-Balogun; former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Salmot Badru; Senator Adeola’s wife, Chief (Mrs.) Temitope Adeola; Rt. Hon. Titi Oseni-Shodunke; the APC Senatorial Chairman for Ogun West, Alhaji Mohammed Ekweme; former Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman and APC chieftain, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele; the APC senatorial candidate for Ogun West, Hon. Jimoh Ojugbele; the APC House of Representatives candidate for Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency, Seriki Bashorun; Hon. Muftau Ajibola; Chief Olu Agemo; Hon. Bisiriyu Popoola; as well as other party leaders, traditional rulers, farmers and stakeholders from across Ogun State.
The programme forms part of Senator Adeola’s commitment to improving farmers’ livelihoods and positioning agriculture as a major driver of economic development and shared prosperity in Ogun State.
