In a bid to improve food production in Oyo State, the state government has encouraged residents to embrace backyard farming.
The call was made by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, during a special service program held at St. Peter’s Cathedral to commemorate World Food Day.
The commissioner emphasized that a sustainable future is dependent on collective efforts in agriculture, beginning with backyard farming.
He stressed that this would promote food security and also mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on the state’s food systems.
He assured that under the leadership of Governor Engr Makinde, the Oyo State Government will remain committed to supporting farmers and encouraging individuals to contribute to food security. The commissioner further stated that all hands must be on deck to address the pressing issues of hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.
Highlighting the government’s support for farmers, Barr. Olaleye revealed that approximately 5,160 acres of farmland have been plowed under a 50% tractorization subsidy.
Additionally, farmers have received various inputs from the state government, including free distribution of maize to poultry and arable farmers.
The commissioner also outlined the week-long program for World Food Day, which included a Jumat service on October 11th, a special Church service on October 13th, an agbeloba fitness walk on October 14th, the inauguration of the Oyo State Seed Coordinating Committee (OYSSCC) on October 15th, and a grand finale on October 16th featuring a paper presentation and the official opening of an agricultural products exhibition by the governor.
In his sermon titled “We Are More Than Conquerors,” the Lord Bishop of Ibadan North and Archbishop of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, the Most Reverend, Dr. Williams Aladekugbe (JP), stressed the importance of everyone returning to farming by planting at least something in their backyards. He offered prayers for farmers, Oyo State, and Nigeria as a whole.