Oyo State Government has sold a total of 7,670 metric tonnes of assorted fertilisers valued at N445.3 million to local farmers in the first six months of this year as part of its efforts to boost food production in the state.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kunle Isola, disclosed this in Ibadan, while briefing journalists on activities of his ministry in the first six months of this year.

The commissioner, who explained that the fertilisers were sold at subsidised rates through the Farm Service Centres of the Ministry, said a revised allocation of 6,600 metric tonnes of the commodity worth N510.7 million had already been procured by the state from the Federal Government supply programme for 2009 planting season.

Isola also disclosed that a total of 3,060 metric tones of fertilisers had been received by the state out of the consignment, stressing that N5.1million had been spent by the state government on the procurement of agro-chemicals and minor equipment for the 2009 planting season.

According to the commissioner, "A total of 793 litres/kg of assorted agro- chemicals, 11 units of CP sprayer, 516 kg of improved maize seeds and 44 units of cutlasses valued at N1.1 million were sold by the ministry to interested farmers to date."

In the state's efforts at protecting and managing the state's forest estates for sustainable development, Isola disclosed that 63 foresters were recruited in addition to the establishment of Taungya plantation throughout the state with 130 hectares of Taungya land cleared in preparation for planting during the period.

On veterinary activities in the state, the commissioner said the administration of Alao-Akala had been very much concerned about the livestock unit of the ministry, recalling that N11,150,000 was released by government for the purchase of inspection kits, chemicals and vehicles to serve the over 30 slaughter slabs in the state.

The commissioner also said that an agreement had been signed with a private investor to build a central abattoir at Akinyele in Akinyele Local Government Area of the state, the purpose of which, according to him, "is to encourage the maintenance of hygienic practices during slaughtering and inspection of animals meant for human consumption."

Isola said the abattoir being constructed would be operated on an arrangement of ''Built Own Transfer (B.O.T) agreement, meaning that the factory would be built by the company and the company shall run it for a period of 30 years before handing it over to the state."

While praising the state governor on what he described as ''his modest achievements in the field of agriculture since inception'', the commissioner said farmers in Oyo State would forever be grateful to the present administration in the state for adhering strictly to electoral promises.