The government of Oyo State in Nigeria is encouraging farmers across the state to embrace modern farming techniques to boost food production and achieve food security. This call to action was made by the Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, while speaking to journalists in Ibadan as part of activities for the 2023 World Food Day.
This year’s World Food Day theme is “Sustainable Food Systems for a Healthy Planet.” Commissioner Olaleye emphasised that adopting improved farming methods and technologies is the only way Oyo State farmers can increase crop and livestock yields. He cited quality seed varieties that can deliver higher outputs than traditional farming practices.
Under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State government has invested in training agricultural extension officers and farmers on various modern skills and techniques through collaborative programs. The goal is to strengthen food security. For example, 285 farmers received emergency training on climate-resilient practices for maize, tomatoes, cassava, yam, and cowpea to boost productivity.
Additionally, 135 farmers were empowered with one bag each of NPK fertilizer. Around 95 youth and women farmers also underwent training on the processing, packaging, value addition, and use of yam and cassava. Eighty farmers were trained on all-season tomato farming for year-round yields.
The Oyo State-IITA Youth Agribusiness Incubation Park Centre, formerly the Awe Rural Community Development Centre, demonstrates the government’s efforts. The state also distributed poultry feed to 2022 flood-affected poultry farmers in conjunction with the federal government. Two hundred and fifty farmers received training on mushroom production in collaboration with Elyson Gold Consultancy.
Finally, animal feed quality controls and feed analyzers were introduced to prevent the sale of poor-quality feeds to farmers, especially poultry farmers. Through modernization, training, and support, the Oyo State government aims to achieve robust food security.