By and large, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and APM Presidential candidate has revolutionsed agricultural development in the state into potential for economic and social development.
Unlike the previous administrations, leadership that regulated agriculture development into mainly subsistence and self sustaining business, the present administration developed a template that widened the scope of agricultural programs into not only mechanised one ,but boosted the Gross Domestic Product, GDP of oyo state, revenues and became a vibrant economic activities that improved the lives of ordinary people.
Aside provision of enabling environment through enhancement of investment in agriculture, training in modern and modest approach through the international bodies, which included the ibadan based International Institute for Tropical Agriculture IITA that galvanized both capacity building, practical training in modern agriculture and inturn improved not only the lives of the citizenry through bumper harvest , it also developed economic potentials and reservation of all produce from the farms for better storage and disposal at the appropriate time.
These positive development has ensured price stability , seamless price regulation, affordable pricing of all farm products during the two seasons of dry and rainy season.
Aside encouraging local farming through massive engagement by providing modern farm equipment, insecticides of various brands , fertilizer and modern seedlings at subsidized rates to both peasant, small amd large scale farmers , the administration also provided loans to encourage both seasons farming.
Inspite of efforts that encouraged farmers and owners of farms in the state , the Seyi Makinde led administration developed the fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub, the Hub not only guarantees yearly bumper harvest to avoid dearth of consumable crops , but support for agro processing and rural industrialisation.
The feat achieved encouraged all round farming , farmers into investing both at the subsistence levels and by extension triggered Industrial farming were crops of different species are been harvested, procsssed into other agricultural and industrial systems.
Through this , drought , hunger, poverty and naked demand for government intervention was reduced to the barest minimum through series of incentives.
The mass utilization of the existing farm lands and other fallow ones also contributed to the existing desertification programs of the state government, were by all abandoned and existing lands are been utilized into both small , medium and large scale farming which inturn not only encouraged cheap products but created multi dimensional employment opportunities to the people of the state and beyond.
The present administration under Engr Seyi Makinde through operation go back to land improved the transportation corridors to boost trade and agriculture, created a leeway into movement of farm products from the farm to the market with easy access by all segments of the society.
Aside encouraging farmers , Makinde created out of nothing , an agrarian economy , well boosted trade activities and brought about all year round price stability to ordinary consumers in oyo state , hence maintaining a stable economy and economic activities.
With the new template, hardships occassioned by the high fuel pricing through the removal of fuel subsidy with multiplier effects on all consumables and products was minimal to the people of oyo state.
With the replication of such laudable programs linked to both agriculture and industrial development in Nigeria, no doubt the current theoretical approach to agricultural development in the country will become a thing of the past .
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF, National Publicity Secretary of APM.
