The Ogun State government, alongside the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), recently trained farmers in Yewa South Local Government Area on modern agricultural practices.
The one-day training session, titled “Year 2024 Pre-Season and Seasonal Climate Change Down Scaling Steps” focused on equipping farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to adopt the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and Climate Smart Agriculture Practices (CSAP).
During the lecture, Joshua Adeniyi, an agriculturist from the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), urged farmers to adopt the innovative techniques of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) to boost crop productivity and profitability. He highlighted the economic advantages of SRI, which include increased yields, reduced stress, and minimal water requirements.
Speaking on the impact of climate change on rural infrastructure, Williams Akinwunmi, an engineer from IFAD, discussed strategies for mitigating the effect of climate change on rice and cassava production. He encouraged farmers to adopt Climate Smart Agriculture Practices (CSAP) to promote eco-friendly farming.
Akinwunmi also advised farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding bush burning, using fertilizers sparingly, and managing water effectively during rice cultivation.
In their remarks, the farmers expressed their appreciation for the training.
Emmanuel Bankole, a rice farmer from Moro, commended the government for its efforts in improving crop varieties and providing periodic training for farmers. He pledged to adopt Climate Smart Agriculture Practices (CSAP) to enhance his farming productivity.
Omowunmi Ige, a cassava farmer from Oke-Odan, also expressed gratitude for the training, noting its importance in ensuring food sustainability and improving the socio-economic well-being of the community.