Council boss boosts rural farmers' productivity

Chairman, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara state, Hon. Bode Ogunleye, has distributed farm inputs such as fertiliser and agricultural chemicals as part of the modern agricultural support programme of his administration targetted to assist local farmers in the area in boosting their productivity.Speaking at the launch of the programme at the council headquarters, Araromi-Opin recently, Hon. Ogunleye said the council area was predominantly an agrarian society where farming was the main occupation, adding that there was the need to create the enabling environment for increased output of the farmers in the area.The council boss also said that the rate of unemployment, poverty and social vices like thuggery and street begging would be reduced when the unemployed youth in the area were given incentives for productive agricultural activities.Hon. Ogunleye also advised the farmers in the area to form themselves into farmers' associations to solicit for and obtain necessary assistance from government at all levels, stressing that it was easier to obtain loans and/or agricultural inputs from government as groups than as individuals.He also charged the beneficiaries of the farm inputs to make judicious use of the items to encourage the council carry out its programmes for the farmers.He said part of the programmes included organising of agric show where farmers would display farm produce and get awards and prizes.Other programmes, he said included establishment of farmers' stores where farm inputs would be sold to farmers at subsidised rates and seminars/workshops for farmers on modern agricultural practices, among others.The council boss, who thanked the people of the area for their support for his administration, said that the support had helped to encourage his team to keep to promises made.
Click here to read full news..