Embrace modern practice, Oyo urges farmers

The Oyo State government has called on farmers in the state to embrace new methods of farming to ensure food security in the state and the country.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, gave this advice while speaking to journalists in Ibadan, as part of activities lined up to celebrate 2023 World Food Day.

The theme of this year’s World Food Day is ‘Sustainable food system for a healthy planet’.

Olasunkanmi noted that the only way farmers could improve farm yield (crops and livestock), was by embracing modern forms of farming, adding that there were improved seeds that could bring quality yields more than the ancient practices.

He said Oyo State government under Seyi Makinde, had invested in training and retraining of agricultural extension officers and farmers in various capacities through collaborative efforts to  enhance food security.

Speaking on the efforts of the government through his ministry to ensure food security, the commissioner hinted that about 285 farmers were trained on emergency training and demonstration of climate resilient practices in maize, tomatoes, cassava, yam and cowpea, to enhance increase yield.

Olasunkanmi noted that about 135 farmers were also empowered with one bag each of NPK fertiliser, adding that about 95 youths and women farmers were equally trained on processing, packaging, value addition and utilisation of yam and cassava.

He said that 80 of the farmers were also trained on all season tomatoes that would bring yield all round the year.

The commissioner cited Awe Rural Community Development Centre, which is now Oyo State-IITA Youth Agribusiness Incubation Park Centre as an example.

He said, “We have equally distributed poultry feed to 2022 flood affected poultry farmers in collaboration with the Federal Government.

“Two hundred and fifty farmers were trained in collaboration with Elyson Gold Consultancy EGC on mushroom production. Animal feed quality control on feed mill system has been introduced through feed analysers to prevent sales of poor quality feeds to the farmers, most especially poultry farmers.”