The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORBDA), Adedeji Ashiru, has flagged off the deployment of 16 tractors to 11 farm settlements across four South-West states, reaffirming the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to agricultural mechanisation under the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
Speaking at the event held at the authority’s headquarters in Abeokuta on Thursday, Ashiru announced that the initiative is the first phase of a larger Federal Government intervention, revealing that an additional 60 tractors are expected to be delivered by 2026 to revolutionise farming in the region.
Ashiru stated that President Tinubu recognises the critical role of mechanised farming in boosting food production, reducing post-harvest losses, and lowering food costs. He noted that the President’s commitment to tackling food insecurity is already yielding results, with a relative decline in food prices observed.
“President Bola Tinubu has consistently articulated his commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry, that our farmers are empowered with the tools and resources they need, and that government institutions like ours fulfil their statutory roles with diligence and impact,” Ashiru said.
“The President has spoken, and at OORBDA, we have listened, and today we are acting as directed with this tractor deployment that will undoubtedly increase food production in the country.”
The farm settlements benefiting from the first phase of the deployment are located in Oyo, Osun, Ogun, and Lagos States. They include Sepeteri, Iseyin, Ofiki, Asa, and Ogbomoso in Oyo; Iwo and Oluku/Iba in Osun; Igan Alade/Ijaka, Owiwi, Eyinwa, and Oke Odan in Ogun; as well as Itokin in Lagos State.
Ashiru emphasised that the lack of access to mechanisation has long been a major constraint for smallholder farmers. “Without tractors, land preparation is slow, labour-intensive and expensive. Without farm implements, post-harvest losses rise and efficiency declines,” he explained, adding that the deployment directly addresses these bottlenecks.
The dry season farming campaign will focus on essential crops such as maize, vegetables, tomatoes, pepper, and cassava. Ashiru assured that extension officers would accompany the deployment teams to provide agronomy support, ensuring farmers benefit from improved seed varieties and pest management techniques.
To ensure the sustainability and proper maintenance of the equipment, Ashiru inaugurated a seven-member task force committee, chaired by the Head of Servicom, Mr Taiwo Ajayi.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of Agricultural Services, Engr. Akeem Sulaiman, noted that the programme aligns perfectly with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the current administration, aimed at enhancing food production and improving farmer livelihoods.
Also speaking, the representative of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Ogun State, Pastor Ademuyiwa Atanbi, commended the President and the Authority for the initiative, stating that it would significantly boost food production and improve farmers’ incomes.
