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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has collaborated with the Oyo State Government to provide loans for farmers in the state at five percent interest rate through the CBN/OYSG Loan Scheme initiative to boost agricultural productivity in the state.
Under the initiative, interested farmers can source for the loan at the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Cooperative in Ibadan.
While reiterating the state readiness to partner with more foreign and local investors to further promote large scale livestock farming, Olalekan Alli, secretary to the State Government said some giant steps have been taken in promoting agriculture in Oyo state, especially in the livestock and fishery industries which indigenous farmers have benefitted from immensely.
Representing Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the Nigeria Poultry and Livestock Expo held at the International Conference Center, University of Ibadan recently, Alli said that the present administration in the state has created a conducive environment for farmers and investors to operate without hindrance, saying that this has ensured growth in business and economic development of the state.
Alli, who led a government delegation including the state commissioner for agriculture and his counterpart in information, culture and tourism as well as the special adviser on agriculture to the governor, said “our efforts have attracted many investors to the state which include GLOBUS, a major player in the poultry and fisheries industry, WAMCO/SAHEL, a dairy product processing Plant.”
“The state government, in collaboration with the FG and WAMCO Friesland, a private company, established five milk collection centres in various parts of Oyo state. The centres are at Fasola, Maya, Alaga, Iseyin and Saki. This is in order to improve our cattle farmers and empower women,” he stressed.
Alli further explained that the state government has created free trade zone, industrial park, agriculture zone, stressing that there is an on-going rehabilitation of farm settlements across is to ensure that Oyo remains not just the food basket of the South-West but of the entire nation.
He therefore enjoined participants at the International exhibition to explore the latest technology in poultry, dairy, livestock and fishery farming, saying that this will solve the problems facing the livestock industry.
Earlier in his remarks, Oyedele Oyediji, keynote speaker commended the state government for improving livestock industry standards, appealing that the administration should put more efforts into making livestock farming profitable to local farmers.
Also, Rike Akinbamo, chairperson, LOC noted that the conference was organized for networking between local livestock farmers, international organizations and foreign investors across the livestock
In his words, Shashikant Teltumbade, NIPOLI noted that the exhibition would further strengthen bilateral relationship between foreign and local farmers in the state as well as boost the agricultural productivity.
Akinremi Feyisipo, Ibadan
