Determined to boost productivity and profitability in the agricultural value chain, the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), has distributed 20 motorcycles to extension agents in the Ministry of Agriculture to improve their job performance.  

          Giving his keynote address at a training session for the agents in Abeokuta, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina disclosed that for the crucial service to be provided to farmers free of charge, mobility was an essential component for the field officers to move from one location to the next.

          He said that training and access to knowledge were crucial as key elements, fundamental to the achievement of Ogun state's agricultural agenda of food and nutrition security, job creation, and rejuvenation of the economy for farmers and other stakeholders.

          Odedina said the State government was keen on fast-tracking development through agriculture, citing it as the reason for encouraging Public-Private partnerships in the sector with international, national and local development partners, lauding OGSTEP for the gesture, which he noted would enhance the delivery of agricultural dividends to the people at the grassroots.

          Also speaking at the event, the Director, Department of Veterinary Service, Dr. Taiwo Jolaoso, commended the leadership of OGSTEP for equipping the extension agents with the work tools needed to facilitate their movement from one location to the other.

          He pointed out that for extension agents to gather data and offer professional insights, they need mobility which would enhance the delivery of agricultural resources to the farmers in an efficient manner.

          In her contribution, the Project Coordinator, (OGSTEP) Mrs. Mosunmola Owo-Odunsi, stated that the initiative was premised on the premium placed on agriculture by the government and to facilitate the ministry's goal of equipping the field officers, admonishing the benefiting officers to make good use of the tools, as this would encourage the government to do more.

          Contributing, the Project Manager, (OGSTEP Agric sector), Dr. Oluseyi Olugbire, highlighted the provision of critical infrastructure that would promote agricultural production and marketing, which was the basis for giving the motorcycles to the officers as a form of support for easy access to farmers in the different agricultural clusters.

          Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Olalekan Akinola expressed gratitude to the Government for the gesture, saying the motorcycles would aid the performance of their jobs, as well as help them contribute their quota to the development of agriculture in the state.