The Ondo State government has inaugurated an open-ended census of farmers across all 18 local government areas, aiming to build a robust database to inform food-security measures and targeted support, officials announced on Wednesday.
Mr. Wemimo Akinsola, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Agriculture and Agribusiness, said the registration goes beyond mere paperwork. “We need to know who our farmers are, what they grow, and where they farm, so we can provide the assistance they require,” he explained.
Registration is available online at www.osaec.org.ng, via local government offices, or directly at the state agric-business centre. “This exercise is continuous and open to all farmers, regardless of political affiliation or financial status,” Akinsola stressed. The initial phase targets cocoa growers under the state’s Cocoa Revolution initiative, before extending to maize and cassava farmers.
To further support cultivation efforts, the government plans to station a tractor unit in each senatorial district during planting seasons. “Land banking and mechanisation are central to our strategy for repositioning agriculture in Ondo,” Akinsola added.
Mr. Femi Iwajomo, Administrative Secretary of the Ondo State Agriculture and Agribusiness Empowerment Center (OSAEC), described the drive as a “farmers’ census” crucial for accurate planning. Mr. Ojo Emmanuel, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, assured that the online portal is secure and all personal information will remain confidential.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s executive order on agribusiness underpins the census, reflecting a broader push towards structured, data-driven policy in a state where smallholder farming plays a vital role in local economies. Farmers are encouraged to register promptly to ensure they are captured in future support programmes.
