In a significant development, the Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has recorded remarkable achievements under the leadership of the Oyo State Governor, Engr Oluseyi Makinde. The Ministry’s accomplishments span various sectors of agricultural development, including veterinary services, rural development, extension services, capacity building, and infrastructure development.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, highlighted the importance of the Ministry’s achievements in a recent press briefing. According to him, the Ministry’s successes are a testament to the Governor’s visionary leadership and commitment to making Oyo State the food basket of Nigeria. Dr. Olanrewaju emphasized that the Ministry’s achievements would not have been possible without the Governor’s unwavering support and commitment to agricultural excellence.
The Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, presented a comprehensive report on the Ministry’s achievements. He emphasized that the Ministry’s successes are a direct result of the Governor’s agricultural agenda, which prioritizes food security, poverty reduction, and economic growth. Barrister Olaleye highlighted the Ministry’s key achievements, including the vaccination of 95,948 cattle against Anthrax and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP).
The Ministry’s veterinary services have been a major area of success. The vaccination program has significantly reduced livestock mortality rates and protected farmers’ investments while safeguarding public health through the prevention of zoonotic diseases. The Ministry has also maintained the highest standards of food safety through its meat inspection services, conducting comprehensive inspections of 3,731,526 cattle, 10,322,469 sheep and goats, 9,590 pigs, and an impressive 16,082,353 birds destined for human consumption.
In addition to these achievements, the Ministry has developed crucial regulatory frameworks, including comprehensive guidelines and regulations for hatchery operations in Oyo State, standard operating procedures for poultry processors, and the Oyo State Trade Cattle, Sheep, and Goats Law with detailed SOPs for livestock dealers. These regulations provide clear operational standards that enhance productivity while ensuring animal welfare and consumer protection.
The Ministry’s rural development initiatives have also yielded significant results. The construction of 87.53 kilometers of strategic roads across multiple local governments has transformed agricultural communities and improved access to markets, including:
- FRSC-Okudi-Oyada road: 6.82 Km in ATISBO LG
- Market -Illa junction: 4.37 Km in Oriire LG
- Adebayo Alata-Obembe, Aba Oje Road: 8.85 km in Oluyole LG
- Oloko-oyo Okere dam road: 21.96Km in Iseyin LG
- Fasola Farm Settlement Road: 8.43 km in Oyo West LG
- Alako-Idi-iya-Batake-Olowa Farm settlement road: 37.1 km
The Ministry has also upgraded three critical rural markets, providing modern facilities that reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ market access, including:
- Oja-Agbe Market, Iseyin, Iseyin Local Government
- Aare Alasa Market, Akanran, Ona-Ara local Government
- Oja Oba Market, Agbejoda Igboora, Ibarapa Central Local Government
These initiatives have improved the livelihoods of rural farmers and enhanced the state’s agricultural productivity.
The Tractorization Subsidy Program has been another area of success for the Ministry. The program has benefited 1,487 farmers, with 6,090 acres of farmland ploughed in 2024 and 13,077.10 acres ploughed in 2025. This initiative has significantly improved agricultural productivity and reduced the drudgery associated with farming. The Ministry has also provided microloans to 3,501 smallholder farmers, enabling them to expand their operations and improve their livelihoods.
The Ministry’s commitment to capacity building is evident in its comprehensive training programs. The programs have reached 3,830 individuals across various agricultural enterprises, including:
- 660 participants in specialized mushroom cultivation training
- 300 farm settlers in climate-smart agriculture and high-value crop production
- 140 participants in beekeeping empowerment
- 100 people in entrepreneurial practices for shea business
- 90 locust bean processors in value addition techniques
- 660 cattle farmers in pasture management and artificial insemination
- 660 participants in fisheries and value addition
- 380 participants in animal health and public health importance
- 340 participants in pest control and warehouse management
- 250 youths in agro-input dealerships and Good Agricultural Practices
- 250 retired and soon-to-retire civil servants in agricultural practices and micro-livestock management
The Ministry has also collaborated with development partners, including the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, to implement training programs that have reached over 24,800 beneficiaries.
The Ministry’s infrastructure development initiatives are also worth noting. The establishment of nine Farm Service Centres across agricultural zones statewide and the renovation of eight strategic facilities will significantly improve the Ministry’s ability to deliver services to farmers. These initiatives will enhance the state’s agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of rural farmers.
In conclusion, the Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has made significant progress in achieving its goals. The Ministry’s achievements are a testament to the Governor’s visionary leadership and commitment to agricultural excellence. As the Ministry continues to work towards transforming the agricultural sector in Oyo State, it is clear that the state is on the path to becoming a leader in agricultural innovation and food security.
The Ministry’s achievements are a direct result of the Governor’s agricultural agenda, which prioritizes food security, poverty reduction, and economic growth. The Ministry’s successes have improved the livelihoods of rural farmers, enhanced the state’s agricultural productivity, and contributed to the state’s economic growth.
The Ministry’s commitment to agricultural excellence is evident in its comprehensive programs and initiatives. The Ministry’s vaccination program, meat inspection services, and regulatory frameworks have all contributed to the state’s agricultural productivity and food safety. The Ministry’s rural development initiatives, including the construction of strategic roads and the upgrading of rural markets, have improved the livelihoods of rural farmers and enhanced the state’s agricultural productivity.
The Ministry’s Tractorization Subsidy Program has been a major area of success, improving agricultural productivity and reducing the drudgery associated with farming. The Ministry’s capacity-building initiatives have also been instrumental in enhancing the skills and knowledge of farmers and agricultural extension agents. The comprehensive training programs have covered various aspects of agricultural production, including soil management, crop protection, and livestock production.
