…We’re committed to ensuring food security…Agric Commissioner
By Udesinanna Stephen
In a display of gratitude to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji over his support and investment in the Agriculture sector, a group of young farmers who own MA Organic Farms Limited has commenced the sales of over large quantity of garri to residents at a give away price.
The sales, which took place today at Agric Olope Main-Market, Ado Ekiti, was tagged “Garri BAO”, and flagged off by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in the state, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade.
Hundreds of consumers were seen struggling to procure the product which was confirmed to have been well fried.
Speaking at the ceremony, the farmers told Roundoffnews.com that the decision to sell the Garri at give away price was out of personal conviction to show to the world the positive impacts and manifestations of government’s investment in Agriculture.
In a remark, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in the state, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade affirmed that government had supported the farmers in diverse means, especially in the construction of the road to their farm thus leading to higher productivity and accessibility.
The commissioner said:”The government has intervened in upstream production, clearing of land, providing fertilizers, and we have also made roads for these farmers (MAO) to easily distribute their produce. Therefore, all these are just our own concept of having our food security and giving back to the society,” he said.
He also revealed that there was an ongoing efforts by the state government to skip middlemen in the food distribution chain so as to address high cost of food and other commodities.
Earlier, the Director General, DG Community Communication Ekiti State, Mary Omotosho, while addressing the press, noted that the initiative was a collaboration between the MAO and the Ekiti State government, sponsored by the State’s Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security, and the State’s Office of Community Communications.
She said the farmers aimed to appreciate Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s investments and support for agriculture in Ekiti State, particularly in the construction of the road to their farm.
To halt wholesalers from hijacking the initiative, Omotosho revealed that each buyer was limited to purchasing of only 5 rubbers so as to ensure that many people benefit.
The benefactors commended the Governor and the partners for easy and affordable access to food, seeking continued engagement.
At the time of this report, Roundoffnews reporter confirmed the arrival of 127 bags of produce, and there are others expected according to the DG.