The Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Olayato Aribo, has revealed that the former administration, led by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, sold all state-owned tractors to private companies and individuals at subsidised rates.
The commissioner further disclosed that no fewer than 4,563 youths have been trained in modern agricultural practices through various youth development programmes initiated by the state.
Speaking on the activities of his ministry at the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ Secretariat in Akure, the state capital, on Thursday, Aribo said, “We have empowered some of our youths because we identified a gap between the older and younger generations of farmers. The younger ones are not particularly interested in farming, so we are working to encourage them.
“We are providing them with training and empowerment. Presently, we encourage young farmers to bring their produce directly to the ministry for sale to consumers. This event takes place every Thursday. In fact, it is ongoing as we speak.”
Aribo also noted that the government has engaged a company to provide tractor services for land clearing, aimed at supporting farmers in the state. According to him, the state government is committed to large-scale food production in an effort to tackle food shortages.
“Currently, we have just one functional tractor in the ministry. Unlike the northern region where tractors can operate on savannah land, here in the south, tractors cannot easily access the forests. We require bulldozers to clear the land properly, including removing trees and stumps, which is why we’ve opted to hire equipment from a specialised company,” Aribo explained.
He added, “We’ve reached agreements with the company, and every farmer is aware of the cost per hectare for tractor services. We have promised a 25 per cent discount. We’ve also identified lands that can be utilised and are in discussions with institutions that have large tracts of land.”
When questioned about the decision to hire tractors despite some reportedly being parked at the Government House in Akure, the commissioner responded, “I am not aware of any tractors stationed at the Government House.”
He elaborated, “During the administration of the late Governor Akeredolu, 30 tractors were purchased, but they were sold to companies and individuals at subsidised rates. Many of these tractors are now out of the state and no longer owned by the government. Some people have fully paid for them, while others are paying in instalments. As of now, the state owns only one tractor.”
“Nevertheless, we are still planning to acquire more tractors. However, in the interim, we’ve decided to collaborate with this hiring company to ensure immediate access to the necessary equipment, as we are in a hurry to boost food production,” Aribo added.
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