Attempt To Make Food Weapon Of War, Need For Self-Sufficiency In Ondo — Akeredolu

*Distributes drip irrigation materials to tackle drought challenge

Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has said the attempt to make food a weapon of war by some individuals has underscored the need to be food-sufficient in the state.

Speaking at the flag-off of the sale of subsidised agricultural materials to farmers and distribution of drip irrigation materials to secondary schools in the state, held on the premises of the Ondo State Agribusiness Empowerment Centre (OSAEC), Alagbaka, Akure, Akeredolu said the move was part of his commitment to boost food security and address the problem occasioned by drought as experienced for 10 weeks in 2020.

He said the distribution exercise was another effort of the administration at bequeathing to the state a legacy of food sufficiency and zero tolerance to the food crisis.

He distributed drip lines, seeds, seed trays, fertilisers and other inputs to farmers and some secondary schools.

While identifying the adverse effects of the herdsmen/farmer crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate of the developmental efforts in agriculture, the governor said his administration will ensure it puts an end to the malaise, with a view to boosting agricultural productivity.

“The need for us to be proactive has become expedient, more so, to forestall the problem of drought as experienced last year and to keep farming activities for at least three cycles per year.

“In response to this, our administration has deemed it fit to alleviate the challenges of farmers in the state through procurement of agricultural tools and machinery such as planters, maize shellers, irrigation equipment, inputs and seedlings,” Akeredolu said.