Oyo State Government on Wednesday trained over 22,000 farmers across the state, equipping them with vital knowledge regarding weather predictions that will significantly impact agricultural production.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasukanmi Olaleye, announced the results of a digital soil testing initiative conducted in 100 communities at an event, held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital.
He said the initiative was aimed to assess nutrient levels and evaluate soil fertility, providing critical insights for enhancing food production and increasing crop yields.
Olaleye said, “The annual seasonal climate prediction serves as an early warning system, supplying essential information on the rainy season’s onset and cessation, cropping period length, annual rainfall projections, potential dry spells, and temperature variations.”
The commissioner explained that, according to the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the state is anticipated to experience varying dry spell conditions across different Local Government Areas.
He said, “This sensitisation on weather forecasting marks the beginning of a new agricultural planting season. Our goal is to prepare farmers with the necessary knowledge to enhance agricultural productivity throughout the state.”
The commissioner expressed gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde for his dedication to advancing agriculture and improving the welfare of farmers and citizens.
Olaleye explained that the establishment of the State Seed Coordinating Committee had strengthened stakeholder engagement in agricultural productivity, improving food security and farmers’ livelihoods through access to quality seeds and capital.
He said, “The digital soil testing project, a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, smallholder farmers, private sector partners such as OCP Africa, and community groups, has yielded significant results, including soil fertility assessments and the registration of 22,370 smallholder farmers.”
“The initiative aims to enhance agricultural knowledge, increase yields, reduce blanket fertilizer application, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
“These achievements will not only elevate the lives of smallholder farmers but also establish the state as a hub for investment and economic growth. Investors can now easily access information on soil fertility status across the 100 communities.”
In his goodwill message, the state Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Adewunmi Abass, praised the government’s initiatives to bolster agriculture and food security.
The Chairman said, “The path forward lies in our collective commitment to adopting smart agricultural practices that not only foster resilience against climate change but also promote sustainable and profitable farming.”
“Let us recognize our role as stewards of the land, working to ensure a safer, more sustainable future for generations to come.”
“Together, we can turn the tide against climate change and secure a thriving agricultural landscape for Nigeria,” he stressed.
In his remark, an agricultural expert from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Marufat Balogun, highlighted that the programme would train farmers in moisture control, the use of drought and flood-tolerant crop varieties, and storage facilities.
Follow us now for more news in Oyo State. Oyo Truth is an independent online news /medium reporting up-to-date events, happenings and activities related to Oyo State, Nigeria.
Leave a Reply