More than 200 farmers across Saki West Local Government have received improved and high-yield seedlings from the Majority Leader of the Saki West Legislative Arm and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) House of Assembly candidate, Hon. Salaudeen Kabeer Adebayo, in a renewed effort to strengthen agricultural productivity, enhance food security and improve the livelihoods of local farmers.
The agricultural empowerment programme, held at the National Union of Teachers (NUT) House in Saki, attracted farmers, community leaders, political stakeholders, youth representatives and supporters who gathered to witness the distribution of the improved seedlings aimed at increasing crop yields during the current farming season.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Hon. Salaudeen Kabeer Adebayo described agriculture as the backbone of the local economy, stressing that sustainable investment in farmers remains one of the most effective strategies for addressing food shortages, reducing poverty and stimulating economic growth.
According to him, the empowerment initiative represents a continuation of his long-standing commitment to supporting rural development and improving the welfare of residents through practical interventions capable of producing lasting economic benefits.
He explained that the objective of the programme was to improve food production across the constituency while restoring Saki’s historic reputation as the food basket of Oyo State.
Hon. Kabeer urged all beneficiaries to make judicious use of the improved seedlings, noting that only genuine farmers were selected to benefit from the exercise in order to guarantee maximum agricultural output.
He expressed confidence that the quality seedlings would significantly increase farm productivity, improve household incomes and contribute meaningfully to ensuring adequate food availability within and beyond the local government.
“Our vision is to empower farmers with the resources they need to succeed. By supporting agriculture, we are investing in food security, economic prosperity and the future of our communities. I encourage every beneficiary to plant these seedlings and maximise the opportunity for greater harvests,” he said.
Several stakeholders who spoke during the programme commended Hon. Salaudeen Kabeer Adebayo for sustaining people-oriented interventions despite the prevailing economic challenges.
They noted that his passion for humanitarian service did not begin with politics but had been demonstrated consistently through his non-governmental organisation, Hope Never Dies, which they said has continued to impact youths, women and vulnerable members of society through various empowerment initiatives.
The stakeholders described the latest agricultural intervention as another demonstration of visionary leadership focused on long-term community development rather than short-term political gains.
They further appealed to beneficiaries not to sell the improved seedlings but to cultivate them diligently in order to achieve abundant harvests in the 2026 farming season.
According to them, increased agricultural production would not only improve farmers’ incomes but also help reduce food scarcity, stabilise market prices and contribute to efforts aimed at curbing inflation across the country.
Some of the beneficiaries, while expressing appreciation to Hon. Salaudeen Kabeer Adebayo, described the empowerment as timely and impactful, especially considering the rising cost of farm inputs and the economic realities facing rural farmers.
They acknowledged his consistent support for farmers and other vulnerable groups, pledging to make effective use of the seedlings to improve their harvests while assuring him of their continued support whenever their contributions and commitment are required.
The empowerment programme concluded with the distribution of the improved seedlings to over 200 beneficiaries amid renewed optimism that the intervention would enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and further reinforce Saki’s position as one of Oyo State’s foremost agricultural hubs.
