IBADAN/Nigeria: In a bid to bolster food security within Oyo State and the nation at large, the Oyo State Government has issued a resounding call to local farmers, urging them to embrace contemporary agricultural practices.
The clarion call for a modern farming approach, a vital step towards ensuring food security, was sounded by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye. Speaking to a gathering of journalists in Ibadan, his message was a cornerstone of the activities organized to commemorate the 2023 World Food Day.
Barrister Olasunkanmi underscored the pivotal role of innovative farming methods in enhancing agricultural output, encompassing both crops and livestock. He emphasized the superiority of modern farming techniques, extolling the virtues of improved seeds capable of delivering bountiful yields, eclipsing traditional practices.
Under the stewardship of Governor Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, the Oyo State Government has invested in the training and retraining of Agricultural Extension Officers and farmers. This commitment is enacted through collaborative initiatives aimed at fortifying food security.
Highlighting the government’s multifaceted approach to food security, the Commissioner revealed that approximately 285 farmers received training in Emergency Training and Demonstration of Climate Resilient Practices. These sessions encompassed crucial crops such as maize, tomatoes, cassava, yam, and cowpea, ultimately geared towards elevating agricultural productivity.
Furthermore, Barrister Olasunkanmi disclosed that 135 farmers were empowered with essential agricultural resources, each receiving a bag of NPK fertilizer. Additionally, 95 young farmers, including women, received training on processing, packaging, value addition, and utilization of yam and cassava. In an ambitious move, 80 of these beneficiaries were instructed on the cultivation of all-season tomatoes, promising year-round yields.
The Commissioner cited the transformation of Awe Rural Community Development Centre into the Oyo State-IITA Youth Agribusiness Incubation Park Centre in Awe, as an exemplar of the government’s dedication to enhancing food security.
Notably, the Commissioner noted the distribution of poultry feed to 2022 flood-affected poultry farmers, in collaboration with the Federal Government. He also reported that 250 farmers had undergone training in partnership with Elyson Gold Consultancy on mushroom production. Importantly, measures were taken to ensure feed quality control through feed analyzers, aiming to prevent the sale of substandard feeds to farmers, with a particular focus on poultry farming.
The establishment of a Pasture Growers Association was another proactive step taken by the government, with the aim of mitigating potential conflicts between herders and farmers. This, in turn, contributes to the effective implementation of Grazing Control Law.
Regarding livestock, Barrister Olasunkanmi elucidated ongoing training programs on artificial insemination for local breeds such as turkey, sheep, goats, and cattle. These efforts are expected to augment animal quality and weight, ultimately rendering animal production more lucrative for farmers. Collectively, these practices reflect the government’s forward-looking strategies to bolster food security in the state.
In his impassioned plea to local farmers, Olasunkanmi urged them to embrace the government’s vision for enhanced food security. He emphasized that part of the government’s mandate is to establish an enabling environment for agricultural prosperity. Modern farming techniques, he assured, would substantially boost productivity, with the tangible results of these government initiatives soon to be manifested in the forthcoming harvest season.
World Food Day, an international observance celebrated worldwide on October 16, commemorates the establishment of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945. The theme for World Food Day 2023, “Sustainable Food Systems for a Healthy Planet,” resonates deeply with Oyo State’s commitment to modernizing farming practices for the betterment of both its citizens and the environment.
