News in Brief:
– Governor Makinde of Oyo State announced measures to address rising food prices, including land clearing subsidies, suspension of revenue collection on farm produce, and provision of equipment and transportation support.
– He emphasised collaboration with stakeholders and established a committee to monitor progress.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced several measures to address the rising cost of food in the state. These measures are aimed at making food affordable for residents, while encouraging increased agricultural production.
Towards realising this objective, the state government has set an agenda rolling with specific targets. These include:
- Land Clearing Subsidy: The government will subsidise land clearing costs for farmers by N600 million, reducing the cost per hectare from â¦30,000 to â¦15,000.
- Suspension of Revenue Collection: For the next six months, the government will suspend the collection of revenue on farm produce sold within the state.
- Provision of Equipment: The government will provide tractors and haulage trucks to support farmers.
- Simplified Loan Access: The Agriculture Credit Corporation of Oyo State (ACCOS) will no longer require a civil servant guarantor for loans. Farm associations can now guarantee their members’ access to these loans.
- Improved Transportation: The Pacesetter Transport Services will receive support to establish a fleet of vehicles dedicated to transporting farm produce within the state.
Addressing food security challenges
Furthermore, the governor acknowledged the state’s progress in food production. However, he expressed concern that this progress hasn’t translated into lower food prices. He noted the government’s commitment to finding solutions and collaborating with stakeholders to address food security challenges.
Subsequently, A 10-member committee comprising agricultural stakeholders and government officials has been established to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented measures. This committee will report back to the governor in six months to assess progress and determine further actions.
