The Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), has distributed 20 motorcycles to extension agents in the Ministry of Agriculture to improve their job performances.
Dr. Adeola Odedina, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, disclosed this on Saturday in a keynote address at a training session for the agents in Abeokuta.
Odedina said that the gesture was to boost productivity and profitability in the agricultural value chain in Ogun State, adding that for crucial service to be provided to farmers free of charge, mobility was an essential component for the field officers to move from one location to another.
He said that training and access to knowledge were crucial as key elements and fundamental to the achievement of Ogun state’s agricultural agenda of food and nutrition security, job creation, and rejuvenation of the economy for farmers and other stakeholders.
Odedina noted that the State government is keen to fast-track development through agriculture, citing it as the reason for encouraging Public-Private partnerships in the sector with international, national and local development partners.
He said the gesture would enhance the delivery of agricultural dividends to the people at the grassroots.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Taiwo Jolaoso, Director, Department of Veterinary Service, commended the leadership of OGSTEP for equipping the extension agents with the work tools needed to facilitate their movement from one location to another.
He said for extension agents to gather data and offer professional insights, they need mobility which would enhance the delivery of agricultural resources to the farmers in an efficient manner.
In her contribution, the Project Coordinator, OGSTEP, Mrs Mosunmola Owo-Odunsi, stated that the initiative is premised on the premium placed on agriculture by the government. It is also to facilitate the ministry’s goal of equipping field officers.
Owo-Odunsi admonished the benefiting officers to make good use of the tools, as this would encourage government to do more.
Contributing, the Project Manager, OGSTEP Agric sector, Dr. Oluseyi Olugbire, said that the provision of critical infrastructure would promote agricultural production and marketing.
He added that it was on that basis that motorcycles were giving to the officers as a form of support for easy access to farmers in different agricultural clusters.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Olalekan Akinola expressed gratitude to the Government for the gesture, saying the motorcycles would aid them perform optimally, as well as help them contribute their quota to the development of agriculture in the state.
