FG distributes inputs to 8,000 cassava farmers in Oyo

Over 8,000 farmers have benefited in Oyo state as the Federal Government has flagged-off the distribution of inputs for cassava farmers in the state in pursuant of the High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) initiative.

Each farmer was given four litres of herbicide per hectare of farmland they cultivate, three bags of fertilizer per hectare, and 60 bundles of cassava stem per hectare. Also, the sum of N80,000 per hectare of cassava farm was presented to each farmer of which N52,000 is grant and N28,000 is loan.

Speaking at Oyo town, venue of the flag-off event, Akinwunmi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture said all the promises made by the government on the HQCF initiative would be fulfilled in the state. Adesina said one HQCF processing factory would be established at Ilora and another at Ayete as promised.

The minister who was represented by Adebayo Lasisi, the state director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture said the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda was on course and had been recording great success in the sector as the country had begun exporting agricultural products.

Earlier in his welcome speech, Muyideen Adekunle, the state chairman, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association (NCGA), said the association had already planted 8,431 hectares of farmland for the HQCF programme.

Adekunle said that in the state, 22 local government areas were allotted improved cassava stems, fertilizers, chemicals and tractors for NCGA members so as to enhance the HQCF programme. “Cassava farmers in Oyo state and South – western Nigeria appreciate the agricultural support programme of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina, “ he said. The NCGA chairman said that the commendation was because the HQCF initiative was the first of its kind for cassava farmers since 1987 when the association was formed in the country.

Those present at the distribution ceremony included Rufus Babatunde. the Zonal Manager, Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme, and Olukemi Olusesi, Manager, Bank of Agriculture in Oyo town,

Others were Adeoye Adelabu, Desk Officer (Growth Enhancement Scheme) Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Oyo State and Leticia Laniyonu, member, Board of Trustees of NCGA.