By The Oyo State government has launched the second phase of its 50% land ploughing subsidy, known as the Tractorisation Policy, to support smallholder farmers ahead of the 2025 farming season.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, announced the initiative at a press conference, emphasizing Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s commitment to agricultural growth. He noted that Oyo State was recently ranked among the states with the lowest food inflation by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The policy, which started in 2024, has already benefited 1,487 farmers, covering over 6,090 acres of farmland. Olaleye highlighted how mechanized farming has significantly improved productivity, with over 9,569 tonnes of cassava exported from Ibarapa Zone to neighboring states between December 2024 and March 2025.
Under the initiative, the state government will cover 50% of ploughing costs, while farmers will only pay half of the total cost required for land preparation. Farmers can register for the subsidy free of charge through local extension officers, who will inspect farm sites and upload details for tracking.
“All tractors deployed under this program are GPS-tracked to ensure transparency and prevent misuse,” Olaleye assured. “This initiative demonstrates Governor Makinde’s dedication to agricultural transformation by reducing production costs and providing climate-smart farming solutions.”
Sheik Taofeek Azeez Akeugbagold, chairman of the Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State (ACCOS), added that farmers can also access loans and agricultural credit through the corporation. He praised Governor Makinde for prioritizing farmers’ welfare and strengthening food security in Oyo State.
