FRIDAY, 22nd October, 2021: The Oyo State Government has reassured small scale farmers of improved support and integration into the development plan of the state, which would fall in accordance with the four points agenda of the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration.

In a press statement released to CEOAFRICA, it was gathered that the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi gave this assurance while declaring open a 4-day training for Agric Extension Workers, which was organized at the OYSADEP Office, in the Apata area, of Ibadan, by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Hon. Adebisi noted that the training would spur productivity and enhance the quality of food consumed by the people in the state. He added that there was going to be an infusion of modern farming technology, financial assistance alongside the training and retraining of Oyo state farmers to stimulate quality assurance in the agricultural value chains.

Speaking further, he commended the Federal Government for its efforts in relentlessly improving and building the capacity of farmers across the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory, and the donation of 3 motorcycles to Oyo State for Agricultural Extension delivery. He added that these had assisted small scale farmers in the state to overcome the teething challenges associated with farming, which had alleviated poverty and unemployment, while also boosting food sufficiency.

In the same vein, the Honourable Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Abubakar, who was ably represented by the Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaja Balikis Abdulateef, in his remarks hinted that one of the key recommendations was to build the capacity of the youths and existing practitioners in Agric Extension delivery system, which would expose and equip them with best global practices and tool to enable them deliver efficiently.

The Minister added that Nigerians were desirous of seeing the country’s agricultural extension delivery system meet global competitiveness. This according to him, would ensure that the country has adequate and quality food for its teeming population and some to augment foreign earnings. 

The event also had in attendance other Management Staff of the Ministry, Farmers, participants from the 33 local governments of Oyo State, as well as seasoned resource persons, among others.