Adeleke Commissions Farmers’ House, Distributes Inputs To 300 Rice Farmers

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to achieving food sufficiency for every household in the state, pledging that ongoing interventions in the agricultural sector will be sustained and expanded.

The Governor gave the assurance in Osogbo during the commissioning of the newly built Farmers’ House and the free distribution of agricultural inputs to 300 rice farmers.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, brought together farmers, cooperatives, and representatives of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).

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Governor Adeleke described agriculture as the backbone of the nation’s economy, stressing that thousands of people depend on it daily for survival and prosperity.

He said his administration had, therefore, made agro-industrial transformation one of the five pillars of its development agenda, noting that it is through agriculture that Osun can empower its citizens and unlock its economic potential.

“Government has a duty to support farmers by creating the right environment, providing necessary inputs, and implementing policies that make agriculture a profitable venture,” Adeleke stated. “Despite our limited resources, Osun has become a model in agricultural support, as we have consistently rolled out interventions that touch every aspect of farming.”

The Governor highlighted key interventions introduced under his administration, including the distribution of pigs, broiler chicks, fertilizers, cassava stems, agrochemicals, cash crop seedlings, and vegetable seeds.

He also recalled the procurement of 31 tractors with full implements, distributed across the nine federal constituencies of the state for use by farmers, cooperatives, and agricultural associations.

On infrastructure, Adeleke noted that farmers cannot thrive without access to good facilities, disclosing that his government is investing heavily in rural roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities through the Osun-CARES initiative.

Roads already completed under the scheme include Oke-Ogun to Ido-Oko in Oriade, Oba-Oke to Idi-Emi to Bara in Olorunda, Idimongoro/Otan-Iresi in Boluwaduro, Ile-Erin to Elefon in Ayedire, Oguro-Idewure in Ejigbo, and Adejuwon/Adekolu to Ilajue in Ede North. Additional rural roads have also been delivered under the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP).

Beyond physical projects, the governor explained that his administration is prioritizing farmer capacity development through extension services, training workshops, and trade opportunities. He said farmers in the state are being supported to access local and national markets through participation in trade fairs and agricultural programs.

He announced that more than 300 rice farmers would be going home with free paddy rice seeds to boost production across the state.

“As we look ahead, let us remember that this progress must be sustained,” the governor said. “The good works in agriculture and other sectors will only continue if we stand together to secure the future. Therefore, I use this medium to encourage you all to register and collect your voter cards. We must exercise our constitutional rights in the 2026 governorship elections so we can continue to enjoy the benefits of this administration.”

In their remarks, Chairman of AFAN Dr. David Ogunsade and Coordinator of the Rice Farmers Association of Osun State Alhaji Suleiman Araokanmi commended Adeleke for his support and pledged their support for his administration beyond 2026.

They also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to release local government allocations to the state to strengthen grassroots development.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Otunba Tola Faseru, said ten farmers were selected from each of the 30 local government areas to benefit from the programme. He added that the distribution of paddy rice seeds, fertilizers, and herbicides was part of the government’s broader strategy to support farmers and expand agricultural productivity.

Otunba Faseru further noted that the state government has rolled out several programmes to reposition the sector, including youth and women empowerment initiatives, livestock distribution, animal vaccination, subsidised sales of improved seedlings, and the revival of the Agric-in-School scheme. He assured that the ministry would continue to implement innovative policies to make agriculture more attractive and rewarding for residents of Osun State.

With the distribution of farm inputs and the establishment of a dedicated center for farmers’ affairs, stakeholders expressed optimism that Osun State is on track to not only improve rice production but also achieve broader food security goals in the years ahead.