Olumide Ojerinde, member representing Irepo/Oorelope/Olorunsogo federal constituency in the house of representatives, has donated seedlings and herbicides to farmers in his constituency.
Facilitated under the zonal intervention project, the distributions took place at Kishi town hall, Igbeti town hall and Bayo Ojerinde hall at Baptist High School, Igboho.
Speaking on why he embarked on the project, Ojerinde said that “We challenge people. We know the government is not employing; If the government is not employing, definitely, the private sector will not employ as well.
“So let’s create jobs for people. Farmers come, we will give you seedlings, we will also get you to people that can buy off you. You have a choice to sell to them or to sell to other people but with what we have done for you, we are expecting about a minimum of 4,000 tons because on each acre, we are expecting about 3 tonnes of harvest. So with that in that constitutency alone, we are giving over 1,500. I am very sure of that 1,500 people and with that we have created an economy that it is even with the prevailing price today. A bag of maize today is about N25,000 or N30,000. So we if we have 4,000 times N30,000. Thats about N120 million economy.
“We have done our own part. We know not everyone will do it but we know if they do it, to an extent, the level of poverty will reduce.
“Basically, agriculture is the only thing we have here and this is just the beginning, we are also looking forward to ensuring the value change will be present in our economy. Because, my brother, how many Elubo factory do we have in Oyo State? There is a big gap we need to fill up.
“We are talking to individuals and indigenes of the constituency as well because if we don’t outsiders will come and do it. So the first step is to talk to indigenes to come and do it. They should be the first contact that will be given the opportunity but if it’s not forthcoming any investor can come in, its an open field. But basically the value chain not being present is a big problem.
“Look at the quantity of rice that is being planted in the Okeogun region, I am not even talking about my own constituency, it is sad that we don’t have rice mill in that region.
“So if we are calling ourselves the food basket and the raw material is leaving us and they move the rice from Okeogun and take it somewhere else to process and bring it back to sell, it is banana business.
“We need to enlighten people, there is so much sheer butter in Okeogun, tell me how many industries or SMEs are thinking toward sheer butter?
“So I think we have a lot on our hands. Our folks have done their own part, they are are at their retirement stage now. We are the one that need to work on it. We are not talking of big industries, we are talking about SMEs. This yam that we are seeing, why can’t we build the aggregator ourselves. We take yam from our place to the city. These people come and buy it from us, we are not thinking outward. It’s not alright.
“If the value chain is present, we can create a lot of opportunities. If the output chain is present is my community, believe me, the output of yam we are seeing a year should be more because the uncertainty has reduced their potentials. If you are sure nobody will buy, would you want to plant again?
“It’s a commodity that people are looking for. A lot of people are looking maize.
“So basically we are creating that agro-economy. I dont know if we have gold, there are limitations to it. But what we have directly is agriculture,” he added.
Akolawole Olukutan, who was the guest lecturer, explained that the seedlings provided are not to be eaten or sold but to be planted, he reminded farmers that it was time to make use of planters earlier provided by the lawmaker to its beneficiaries and those around them.
He advised good timing to farmers to avoid bad harvest. Akolawole, however, encouraged good relationship between farmers and herders especially those who wander in the bush.
Former Irepo local government, vice chairman Hon. Dns. Victoria Ojedele, who spoke on behalf of women commended Olumide and his wife for keeping them in mind and not allowing them wallow in poverty.
She pleaded that Olumide help them with facilities and loans to boost their financial stance.
The Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) which consist of Maize farmers, Cassava Farmers, Poultry farmers, Cowpea Farmers among others were present at the Empowerment program at Olorunsogo Local Government.
Leaders of farmers associations were handed over the grains and herbicide to distribute to their members. Akolawole Olukutan gave them short exaltation on how to effectively use the seedlings and the herbicides.
To the relief of farmers, Akolawole made it known that there were companies that are ready to buy the farm produce from them at reasonable price at harvest time.
He listed maize, rice, guinea corn and herbicides for distribution to all farmers as part of his responsibilities to his constituents.
Most farmers association in Irepo Local Government which include Agbelere Farmer Association, AnuOluwa Farmer Association, Ogo Oluwa Farmer Association, Ifesowapo Farmers Association among others were present at the event.
