Ekiti State Government has empowered farmers across the 16 local governments and LCDAs with farm inputs and assets towards ending food insecurity in the State.
This was contained in a statement by the Communication Officer of Fadama CARES in the State, Yomi Ogunrinde during the CARES Inputs and Assets distribution to farmers in the State under the Fadama CARES Inputs and Assets Distribution.
According to the statement, Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Ebenezer Boluwade, called on the beneficiaries to make good use of the Inputs and Assets collected.
According to him, the programme is to support farmers in the state to produce more and improve their living standard, urging them to allow the free inputs to reflect during sales by not selling the farm produce at high prices after harvest.
In his remark, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Olugbenga Odesanmi appealed to all the beneficiaries to make good use of the items given to them. He advised them not to sell the items but to use it for production.
The Ekiti State Fadama Cordinator, Mrs. Olayemi Yetunde Okunlola said the project objective is to expand access to livelihood support and food security services for poor and vulnerable household.
Mrs. Okunlola added that over 120 Farmers Community Association have been funded across the 16 Local Governments and LCDA in Ekiti State.
The SPC informed the gathering that broilers and their feeds were given to poultry farmers, cassava cuttings of improved standard, cassava weed control chemicals were given to cassava farmers, maize farmers were given maize seeds of improved quality and early maturing with weeds and pest control chemicals.
Also, rice farmers, tomatoes and pepper farmers were equally supported with inputs.
She explained that small scale agro processors in the state were equally supported with locust beans processing machine, oil palm digester with screw press, de-feathering machine for processing of chicken, and grinding machine.
