Omotayo Adigun
The Ondo State government has initiated a state-wide census of farmers, marking the commencement of a new phase in its agricultural policy focused on structured and data-driven planning.
The government has termed this an “open-ended farmer census,” emphasizing its continuous nature and its pivotal role in reshaping the future of agriculture within the state.
This significant initiative was announced during a press briefing in Akure by Mr. Wemimo Akinsola, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Agric and Agric-Business.
Akinsola clarified that the registration exercise is not merely a procedural step but a crucial undertaking aimed at establishing a comprehensive and reliable database of all farmers operating within Ondo State. This database will be instrumental in the government’s efforts to provide targeted support and implement effective agricultural strategies.
Akinsola further revealed that Governor Aiyedatiwa has issued an executive order on Agri-business, underscoring the administration’s commitment to repositioning the agricultural sector. A key component of this repositioning strategy is land banking, which will be facilitated through the data gathered from the farmer census.
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The registration process has been designed to be inclusive and accessible to all farmers in Ondo State, irrespective of their political affiliations or financial standing. The exercise will be continuous, with no fixed deadline, ensuring that all farmers, including those who may register at a later date, are included in the state’s agricultural database. Farmers can register conveniently through their mobile phones, at the Ondo State Agric and Agri-business Empowerment Center (OSAEC) office, or at their respective local government secretariats.
Highlighting the importance of the census, Akinsola stated, “We need to know who our farmers are, what they grow, and where they farm, and we need to be able to assist. This aims to build a comprehensive database of farmers to enhance food security, ensure direct support, and usher in a new era of structured, data-driven agricultural planning. This registration is very, very important. The state will know you as a farmer.”
In a related development aimed at providing direct support to farmers, the Ondo State government announced its plan to establish a tractor unit in each of the state’s senatorial districts. This initiative is intended to assist farmers during critical planting seasons, improving efficiency and productivity across the agricultural sector.
Mr. Femi Iwajomo, the Administrative Secretary of the Ondo State Agric and Agri-business Empowerment Center (OSAEC), assured farmers that all information submitted during the census would be treated with the utmost confidentiality, encouraging full and accurate participation in the exercise.