The Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative Organization (NACO) has emerged as one of the beneficiaries of the second phase of the YAYI Farmers’ Empowerment Programme, under the Renewed Hope Agriculture Initiative for Food Security, which supported an additional 2,557 farmers across Ogun State.
The programme, flagged off on Wednesday, July 29, in Ilaro, Ogun State, is aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, strengthening food security, and improving the livelihoods of farmers through the provision of modern farming equipment and inputs.
Speaking at the event, Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola (YAYI) said the initiative was designed to empower farmers with the resources needed to increase food production while reducing the burden of rising production costs.
The empowerment package included 10 tractors with complete attachments to support mechanised farming, 250 haulage tricycles for transporting farm produce, 1,500 knapsack sprayers, 8,000 bags of NPK and urea fertilisers, 1,000 solar- and petrol-powered water pumps, 1,000 seed planters, and 17 power tillers.
Beneficiaries also received improved seedlings and high-yield seeds, organic liquid fertilisers, agricultural enzymes, pesticides, and other essential farm implements.
Senator Adeola explained that a central management team made up of experienced farmers and cluster leaders would oversee the operation and maintenance of the shared equipment to ensure sustainability and maximise the long-term benefits of the programme.
According to him, “Our farmers remain critical to our survival and national development because without food security, sustainable growth and human wellbeing cannot be achieved. This second edition of our farmers’ empowerment programme is designed to equip beneficiaries with the tools, resources and financial support they need to increase productivity, improve their incomes and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s food security objectives.”
Reacting to the empowerment, the Ogun State Coordinator of the Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative Organization (NACO), Pastor Olatunji Abogunrin, expressed appreciation to Senator Adeola for his continued support for farmers.
Speaking with journalists, Abogunrin described the initiative as unprecedented, noting that it was the second time Senator Adeola had empowered farmers in the state.
“I want to appreciate our incoming governor, Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola (YAYI), because since we have been in agriculture, we have never witnessed this level of empowerment for farmers. This is the second time he is empowering farmers across Ogun State.
“If he can do this now without being the governor, one can only imagine what he will accomplish when he becomes governor. We have every reason to believe in him because he will surely do well for farmers and the entire people of Ogun State if elected governor in 2027.
“NACO is one of the organisations that benefited from today’s empowerment, and all agricultural commodity groups were represented at the event,” he said.
The event attracted several political leaders, traditional rulers, farmers, and stakeholders from across Ogun State.
Among the dignitaries present were the APC Deputy Governorship Candidate, Alhaja Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa-Balogun; former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Salmot Badru; Senator Adeola’s wife, Chief (Mrs.) Temitope Adeola; Rt. Hon. Titi Oseni-Shodunke; APC Ogun West Senatorial Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Ekweme; former Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman and APC chieftain, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele; APC Ogun West Senatorial candidate, Hon. Jimoh Ojugbele; APC House of Representatives candidate for Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency, Seriki Bashorun; Hon. Muftau Ajibola; Chief Olu Agemo; Hon. Bisiriyu Popoola; alongside other party leaders, traditional rulers, farmers, and stakeholders.
The farmers’ empowerment programme forms part of Senator Adeola’s commitment to improving farmers’ livelihoods, enhancing food security, and positioning agriculture as a major driver of economic growth and shared prosperity in Ogun State.
