The Oyo State government has advised farmers in the state to key into its 50 per cent tractorisation subsidy initiative.

The state commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, gave the advice when briefing journalists on the initiative, on Thursday in Ibadan.

Mr Olaleye said that the government’s initiative intends to subsidise by 50 per cent the cost of mechanical ploughing services for every acre of farmland cultivated by farmers.

“This means that for every acre mechanically ploughed, farmers will only pay half  of the cost while  the government  undertakes the remaining 50 per cent,” he explained.

He recalled that  the tractorisation subsidy programme which commenced in 2024, recorded tangible results in the last planting season.

The commissioner disclosed that about  1,487 farmers directly benefited from the initiative  in 2024 with subsidy on 6,090.91 acres of cultivated farmland.

According to him, the gesture had impacted on small and medium scale farmers tremendously.

Mr Olaleye said that many of these farmers transitioned from manual to mechanical farming methods.

He called on all farmers in Oyo to take advantage of the opportunity of the programme and register.

The commissioner said that government was determined to make a breakthrough for agriculture in the state in 2025, targeting huge numbers of farmers to benefit from the programme.

On how farmers can participate, Mr Olaleye urged those interested to register through agricultural extension officers in their respective local government areas.

He said farmers could also register at the ministry of agriculture and rural development at the State Secretariat, Ibadan.

Mr Olaleye maintained that the initiative represented Gov. Seyi Makinde’s commitment to progressive and sustainable agricultural development.

He expressed optimism that the programme would continue to transform the agricultural landscape of the state.

 (NAN)