By Adebola Ajayi
Farmers in Odeda and Balogun-Itesi wards in Odeda local government Area of Ogun State, have expressed displeasure over their inability to access the necessary agricultural incentives, such as government loans and farm implements, including tractors, seedlings and fertilizers.
The farmers while speaking with Radio Nigeria Correspondent who visited them on their farmlands, at Shogbaade, Olori, Sokan, Ilagbe, Jagunna, Obelu and other villages in Odeda and Balogun-Itesi wards, lamented that lack of funds, farm implements, bad conditions of road networks among others were the challenges hampering their efforts to ensure food sufficiency in Ogun State and the Country in general.
The farmers including, Mr Idowu Kushimo, Mubashiru Makinde, and Oluwambe Niniola noted that they lacked adequate manpower to work on their expansive farmlands, and appealed for availability of farm equipment such as tractors, and pesticides to enhance their farming businesses.
Also, some women farmers including Madam Idayatu Shomuyiwa, Taibatu Shobola and Eunice Oludoyin, explained that poor road networks was making them to run the agricultural businesses at loss, as they were using large percentage of their income on transportation of farm produce to markets.
Contributing, the traditional ruler of Odeda town, Oba David Oluwanishola appealed to the relevant authorities to come to the aid of the area, over the frequent invasion of farmlands by armed herders, the situation he noted was wrecking havocs on many people’s means of livelihoods .
Oba Oluwanishola also solicited government’s assistance to improve other basic amenities, such as education and healthcare facilities in the area to make life more comfortable for the people.
