The State Government of Oyo has engaged in an all-rounded farmers’ training exercise in the rural areas as a continual measure in promoting food security within the state.
The government selected 62 farmers from different local governments in the state to undergo a one-year training in good Agricultural practices in different farming enterprises.
As declared by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, “The training will reduce the level of unemployment in the country and boost food production. While declaring the training open at the Oyo State – IITA Youth Incubation Park Centre, Awe, he disclosed that no fewer than 62 participants drawn from different rural communities were being engaged in intensive training to make them more effective and efficient in agricultural practices.”.
Maintaining that the intervention is first of its kind in the history of the State, under the tenure of Governor Seyi Makinde, he emphasized that the training programme would be taken down to communities and villages in Oyo State to meet the aim of encouraging good agricultural practice, food production, and its security.
He disclosed that every participant was given two acres of farmland as a demonstration farm, and are also given free inputs like maize seed, cassava stems, and herbicides amongst others. Under the initiative, more than 200 acres of maize farm have so far been cultivated at the Oyo State-IITA Youth Incubation Park Centre, Awe. One of the commissioners said the initiative is expected to ensure food sufficiency in the coming months.
Christianah Abioye, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, also appreciated the participants for the cooperation and urged them to be serious with the training, as government would provide all necessary materials.
IITA Park manager, Oni Waheed, while speaking on the Journey so far, said the initiative is an exciting one, as he acknowledged the support from the government.
Idowu David, who spoke for the participants, thanked the government and IITA and assured that the training will put it to good use by contributing towards the development of the agricultural sector in Oyo State.
According to David, the captain of the participants, this program is a key step in the actualization of the Oyo State Government’s agenda, aimed at discouraging unemployment and promoting agriculture, and it will have an affirmative effect on the participants and the general agricultural sector in the State.