The Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development in Oyo State, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, has presented a sweeping account of the Ministry’s transformative achievements, highlighting massive infrastructural developments, strategic interventions in agricultural production, and life-changing support for thousands of rural farmers across the state.
Speaking on Thursday during a ministerial press briefing held at the Governor’s Briefing Room, Secretariat, Ibadan, the Commissioner attributed the Ministry’s unprecedented success to the visionary leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, whose “Poverty to Prosperity” agenda, as outlined in the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023–2027, continues to shape agricultural transformation in the state.
VETERINARY SERVICES AND FOOD SAFETY
Among the major accomplishments, Olaleye revealed that 95,948 cattle have been vaccinated against Anthrax and CBPP, reaching 80% of the Ministry’s 2025 target. He also noted the inspection of over 30 million animals for meat consumption, a move aimed at ensuring public health and maintaining consumer confidence in the state’s food supply chain.
REGULATORY STRENGTHENING
The Ministry has developed regulatory guidelines for hatchery operations, poultry processors, and livestock trading. These new laws are designed to enhance productivity, ensure animal welfare, and protect consumers.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), over 87km of rural roads have been constructed across six local governments. In addition, three rural markets—Oja-Agbe in Iseyin, Aare Alasa in Akanran, and Oja Oba in Igboora—are currently undergoing upgrades to modernize agricultural trade and reduce post-harvest losses.
FARM MECHANIZATION AND EXTENSION SERVICES
Highlighting the Tractorization Subsidy Program, the Commissioner reported that 2,827 farmers have already benefited in 2025 alone, cultivating over 13,000 acres of land, in addition to the 6,090 acres ploughed in 2024. Extension services have also been boosted through the distribution of motorcycles and climate training sessions to better equip officers in reaching remote farmers.
SOIL HEALTH AND INPUT SUPPORT
A landmark soil testing initiative conducted in collaboration with OCP Africa covered 100 communities, leading to tailored soil fertility management training for 22,370 farmers. The Ministry also distributed maize, soybean, and cassava planting materials to thousands of farmers, covering over 47,000 acres with an expected yield of over 214,000 tons of cassava tubers.
LIVESTOCK AND AQUACULTURE INTERVENTIONS
The Ministry distributed vital resources to thousands of livestock and aquaculture farmers. These included fish feed, nutritional supplements, disinfectants, and maize grains—supporting sustainable livestock health and productivity across the state.
YOUTH AND FARMER TRAINING INITIATIVES
In a bid to build capacity and foster agricultural entrepreneurship, 3,830 individuals have undergone specialized training across multiple fields—mushroom farming, apiculture, climate-smart agriculture, pest control, and more. Additionally, 62 youth farmers were trained at the Oyo-IITA Agribusiness Incubation Centre in Aawe and given access to farmland for practical implementation.
HUMAN CAPITAL AND MICROFINANCE SUPPORT
The Ministry recruited 20 veterinary doctors and 141 agricultural officers, while 3,501 smallholder farmers received microloans ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦800,000 to support their agribusiness ventures.
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SERVICE DELIVERY
To support seamless operations, renovation of eight key facilities has commenced, alongside the establishment of nine Farm Service Centres. Plans are also underway to inaugurate the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) at Onireke.
MULTI-AGENCY COLLABORATIONS
The Ministry partnered with key stakeholders such as GAIN, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, WAVE, OCP Africa, and international institutions to implement training programmes and capacity-building sessions. These collaborations directly impacted over 24,800 beneficiaries across the agricultural value chain.
A PATH TO SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
In his welcome address, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, emphasized that the achievements of the Ministry reflect Governor Makinde’s commitment to actualizing his promises to the people. He underscored the significance of the ongoing 10-day ministerial press briefing series as a platform for transparency, performance evaluation, and policy engagement with citizens.
“The journey from poverty to prosperity is being driven through the active work of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. This press engagement is not just an exercise in accountability, but a partnership-building effort with the people,” he said.
CONCLUSION
Commissioner Olaleye concluded by reaffirming the state’s commitment to a holistic agricultural model that links production, processing, marketing, and capacity-building. “With Governor Makinde’s leadership and the unwavering dedication of our partners, Oyo State is on course to becoming Nigeria’s leading agricultural powerhouse,” he declared.
The press briefing marks a milestone in Oyo State’s agricultural narrative—one that intertwines vision, innovation, and grassroots impact.
