No fewer than 1500 farmers have benefited from Agricultural Technology Empowerment organized by Hon Shina Peller, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The event which was held in Iseyin was graced by numerous political leaders, traditional rulers and members of the All Progressive Congress.
Speaking at the event, Hon Shina Peller said it was a great opportunity to be able to give back to his constituents, having massively voted for him as their representative at the lower chamber of the ninth National Assembly.
He explained that “The empowerment becomes necessary following my meticulous assessment and analysis of the great injuries the scourge of COVID-19 has done to the economy of our dear nation. It is on this note that I have come to the conclusion that the time is now for us to retrace our step and diversify the economy of our nation from mono economy (oil driven) to a more reliable and more sustainable agricultural economy which has the tendency of revamping our economy and guarantee food security for all and sundry. Oke-Ogun is an agrarian region with great agricultural potentials that can help contribute immensely to the economic growth of not only Oke Ogun and Oyo State, but Nigeria at large.”
He added that to achieve economic growth through farming, agricultural mechanization is very crucial.
“it helps tasks in farm production to be completed at a minimal time and enables greater areas to be farmed to produce greater quantities of crops or farm produce as the case may be. However, my finding shows that our farmers, particularly in our constituency, lack necessary technological farm equipment required of this century.
“I strongly believe that qualitative empowerment of the masses is far better than indulgences given to the people for gratification purpose and it is only when we connect the hopes and dreams of our people, particularly our farmers, with necessary tools they need to realize them that we can build the strong Nigerian economy that all will be proud of.”
He concluded that this event will not be his last as he is keen to bringing more developmental projects to people of Oke Ogun.
“We will not stop here, our empowerment programmes will cut across every sector of the economy whilst we will not forget education, security which is assuming an unpleasant dimension in our constituency and health sectors. As a matter of fact, our next laudable programme for our constituents will be on health and I can assure you all that it will be one to reckon with by God’s grace.”
The State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Ogunwale Joseph in his welcome address congratulated and commended the organizer of thr event for their initiative and hoping that the beneficiaries of these quality Agricultural equipment will contribute their quota immensely to increase in food production in Oyo State and in Nigeria.
He added that the smallholder farmers have been sustaining food and agricultural production in the country and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, under the current dispensation, is committed and devoted to refocus the way agriculture is practice in Nigeria.
