The Oyo State Government has commenced a training program for Agricultural Extension Officers and Directors of Agriculture across all local government areas as part of its efforts to subsidize 50 percent of farmland cutting to enhance food security within the state.
During a training session held at the House of Chiefs in Agodi, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development , Barrister Olasunkanmi, announced that the training was conducted in partnership with an organization known as Hello Tractor. The training aims to equip participants with the skills to utilize a specialized application for recording farmer data. This includes their local government, farm location, and farmland coordinates to enhance efficiency and accessibility.
Olasunkanmi explained that the app would provide the government with comprehensive information about farmers across the state which will facilitate better agricultural planning, as officials can determine how much land will be cultivated, and which crops the farmers prefer to grow. This would enable the government to offer support where necessary.
The Commissioner stressed that the new application will enable real-time tracking of farm locations from the office. This will assist in monitoring the activities of Agricultural Extension Officers in all 33 local government areas.
He also reaffirmed the government’s dedication to supporting farmers, addressing their concerns, and improving food security in the state.
In his remark, Emmanuel Ogundiran, head of the Agricultural Credit Cooperation in Oyo State, stressed the need for farmers to record their farm locations with precision. He noted the timeliness of the training program, coinciding with the planting season, when farmers often require additional financing for land clearing.
