The Osun State Government has officially approved new guidelines for the operation of tractors on farmlands as the rainy season begins. The initiative aims to enhance agricultural productivity across the state.
Hon. Tola Faseru, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, made the announcement, stating that interested farmers can apply either virtually or in person to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture or the General Manager of the Osun State Agricultural Development Corporation (OSSADEC).
To assist farmers, the government will subsidize the operational rates per acre, making it more affordable for them to utilize tractor services. The tractors will be stationed at OSSADEC farm centers located throughout the state, ensuring easy access for farmers.
During the press briefing, Hon. Faseru highlighted that some tractors are already operational in various farmlands and that the ministry is also working to establish technical centers at designated locations for their maintenance. In a move towards sustainability, the administration has opted for a public-private partnership model for managing the tractors, which aims to incorporate best practices from the private sector.
“This is the first time in 14 years that Osun is introducing a new fleet of tractors,” Hon. Faseru remarked. “We have learned from past failures and are determined not to repeat the same mistakes.”
The commissioner emphasized the importance of sustainability in the management of the tractors, stating that Governor Adeleke has taken significant steps to ensure that the tractors are operated as a business, albeit with public subsidies.
In addition to the operational guidelines, the ministry is actively reaching out to stakeholders within the farming community to facilitate accelerated access to tractor services for users across the state.
This initiative marks a pivotal moment for agriculture in Osun, as the government strives to boost productivity and support local farmers during the rainy season.
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PRESS STATEMENT
Osun Government Approves Guidelines for Tractor Operations
OSOGBO – 17/03/2025 – Osunstate.gov.ng
Amidst the commencement of the raining season, Osun state government has approved modalities for the operations of tractors across farmlands in Osun state.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Tola Faseru who confirmed the development said interested farmers are to reach out to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry or the General Manager of Osun State Agricultural Development Corporation (OSSADEC) through virtual or physical applications.
He noted that the government is subsidizing the operational rate per acre to lower the cost of farm operations, explaining further that the tractors will be domiciled at the OSSADEC farm centre located across the state.
Hon. Faseru who said some of the tractors are already in operation in some farmlands noted that the ministry is working to set up technical centres at designated locations for maintenance of the tractors.
He narrated further that tractor drivers are being assembled, trained and retrained for seamless operation even as he explained that the administration adopted a public private partnership approach for the management of the tractors.
“We are happy to inform the public that the tractors are out for the rainy season. We are conscious of the question of sustainability, hence the careful approach to inject private sector practices.
“In 14 or so years, this is the first time Osun is having new fleet of tractors. We have learnt from what caused the failure of the past efforts. We won’t repeat the same mistakes.
“We know we are not there yet. But Governor Adeleke has blazed the trail by procuring the first set of tractors. We innovated also because of ongoing issues at the local government level.
We don’t want it to be managed in unsustainable manner. Hence, Mr Governor insisted the tractors be managed like a business although with public subisdy”, the Commissioner posited.
He stated that the ministry is reaching out to stakeholders among the farming community to ensure accelerated access for users within the state.
Signed:
Hon Tola Faseru,
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security
