Ekiti extends fertiliser support to farmers outside associations

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ekiti State Government has commenced the distribution of fertilisers to farmers across the state as part of efforts to boost agricultural production and strengthen food security.

The exercise, coordinated by the Office of Community Communications, targets farmers who are not members of registered farmers’ associations, enabling them to benefit from the government’s agricultural intervention.

Speaking during the distribution in Ado-Ekiti, the Director-General of Community Communications, Mary Oso-Omotosho, said the initiative was designed to take government support directly to farmers at the grassroots.

She explained that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had earlier distributed fertilisers to registered farmers’ associations, making the latest intervention necessary for farmers outside the recognised groups.

According to Oso-Omotosho, the programme reflects Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s commitment to ensuring that government initiatives reach residents regardless of their membership in formal organisations.

She added that the intervention was also aimed at increasing food production, easing pressure from rising food costs and recognising the contribution of farmers to the state’s economy.

Meanwhile, the director-general urged beneficiaries to apply the fertilisers properly to improve crop yields and contribute to the state’s food security drive.

Representatives of non-indigenous communities welcomed the intervention, saying many of their members were engaged in farming and describing the fertiliser distribution as a timely boost to agricultural productivity across Ekiti.