In a bid to strengthen food security and promote economic self-reliance, the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, has empowered a cross-section of farmers, youths, and retirees with hands-on training in modern livestock and crop production.
The training, which took place at the Institute’s Agricultural Centre for Training and Entrepreneurship Development (ACTED), was held at the IAR&T headquarters, Moor Plantation, Apata, Ibadan, Oyo State. It covered a range of critical agricultural value chains, including livestock such as goats, sheep, poultry, pigs, rabbits, snails, and grasscutters, as well as crop production in cassava, yam, vegetables, and organic fertiliser.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Director and Chief Executive Officer of IAR&T, Professor Gabriel Oluwatosin, noted that the programme was part of the institute’s commitment to complementing the Federal Government’s agenda of economic diversification through agriculture. He charged the participants to make effective use of the knowledge gained to improve their productivity and livelihoods.
Professor Adeboye Omole, the Training Coordinator, lauded the management of IAR&T for sustaining programmes that directly empower Nigerians and encouraged participants to extend the knowledge acquired to their communities in order to multiply its impact.
Participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity, describing the training as timely and impactful. They affirmed that the skills acquired would not only improve their agricultural practices but also contribute to national food sufficiency, employment generation, and long-term economic sustainability.
