Oyo state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, Tuesday, tasked farmers in the country to embrace new farming methods to ensure food security.
Barrister Olaleye gave the task while speaking on activities lined up by the Oyo state government to mark the 2023 World Food Day.
He said the only way to improve farm yield, (crops and livestock) was for the farmers to embrace modern forms of farming, as there were improved seeds that can bring quality yields more than the ancient practices.
Barrister Olasunkanmi added that the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration has invested in training and retraining of Agricultural Extension Officers and farmers in various capacities through collaborative efforts to enhance food security.
On efforts of the Oyo state government through his ministry on food security, the commissioner stated 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.
Barrister Olaleye noted that about 135 farmers were empowered with 1bag each of NPK fertilizer, adding that about 95 youth and women farmers were equally trained on processing, packaging, value addition and utilisation of yam and cassava.
“80 of the above mentioned were also trained on all season tomatoes – tomatoes that would bring yield all round the year adding that an example of this was in Awe Rural Community Development Centre, which is now Oyo State-IITA Youth Agribusiness Incubation Park Centre, Awe.
“We have equally distributed poultry feed to 2022 flood affected poultry farmers in collaboration with the federal government. 250 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 analyzers to prevent sales of poor quality feeds to the farmers, most especially poultry farmers,” he said.
Barrister Olaleye added, “Also, we have established Pasture Growers Association to prevent future clashes between herders and farmers. This will help in full implementation of Grazing Control Law.”
