As part of the state government’s effort at ensuring food security and sufficiency in the state, Oyo State Mobilization Agency for Socio Economic Development (OYMASED) has said it would collaborate with the ministry of agriculture and rural development, educate and mobilize the residents for the purpose.
Director general of OYMASED, Dr Morohunkola Thomas disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to the commissioner of agriculture and rural development, said the new agency was saddled with the responsibility of educating people at the grassroots on the socio economic activities of the Seyi Makinde led administration.
He added that mobilization and education of residents of the state would help in achieving one of the agenda of the state government which was moving people from poverty to prosperity.
According to him, the agency through the ministry would collaborate with OYSADA and extension workers in reaching the farmers and educating the populace on food security and sufficiency.
The director general also appreciated the efforts of the state government for introducing Oyo SAfER which he said had helped a lot of farmers across the thirty three local governments of the state.
“Oyo SAfER has been of great assistance to farmers in the state. Through this, farmers can now cultivate their lands with the inputs of the state government”, he added.
Thomas advised the ministry on the need to revive school agriculture policy as well as encourage backyard farming.
Responding, commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye said the agency would relieve the ministry of bottlenecks on sensitizing people at the grassroots on its activities.
He noted that a lot had been achieved under the safer programme of the state government.
He called on local government chairmen as well as residents of the state to make land available to investors as well as helping in breaking the bottlenecks of middle men and ensuring that adequate security is provided for the farmers in their domain.