Following its pledge to subsidize 50% of the cost of farm land preparation to enhance food security, Oyo State Government has commenced training of its agricultural Extension Officers and Directors of Agriculture across the 33 local governments on farmers booking application.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi, while declaring open the training Monday at House of Chiefs, Agodi, State Secretariat, Ibadan, said the training was in collaboration with Hello Tractor Organization adding that the training would help the beneficiaries on how to use the application to register details of farmers such as their local government, farm location and the coordinates of their farm lands.
He noted that the application would also enable the government to have the details of farmers in the state.
Barrister Olasunkanmi hinted that the application would help in knowing the acres of lands to be cultivated, the type of crops and the size of land farmers wish to invest on, this would enable government to come to their aids.
According to him, Oyo State Government is training participants on farmers booking application, as this would help government to know the details of the farmers such as the size of the farm, crops type and more.
He said the application would equally reveal the location of the farm right from the office and would also help in monitoring activities of the Agric Extension Officers across the 33 local government.
The Commissioner stated that the present government in the state, under the leadership of Engr. Seyi makinde would leave no stone on turn to ensure farmers are encouraged through various support by eliminating their sufferings, stressing that this would enhance food security in the state.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Christianah Abioye urged the participants to pay wraps attention to the training, saying they have roles to play in making the policies of government on Agriculture to be successful and on collection of accurate data of farmers.
Encouraging the farmers on the need to take proper coordinates of farmers’ farm land, the General Manager, Agricultural Credit Cooperation of Oyo State, Comrade Ogundiran said the training coincides with the planting season when farmers would need more funds to clear land for farming.
He thanked government for being proactive in ensuring food security in the state.
In her address, the Team lead and facilitator, Hello Tractor Organization LTD, Miss Blessing Agu, commended Oyo State government for its various ongoing efforts in supporting framers in the state saying that farmers are facing lots of challenges this according to her has drastically reduced food production in the country.
One hundred and thirty one Extension officers, Directors of Agriculture and officers from local governments, Directors of the ministry of Agriculture and OYSADA participated in the training.