By Adeyinka Adeniran
Following its pledges to subsidize 50 percent farm land cutting to enhance food security, Oyo state government has begun training of its agricultural Extension Officers and Directors of Agriculture across the local government on farmers booking applications.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi, while declaring open the training at the House of Chiefs, Agodi, State Secretariat, said the training was in collaboration with Hello Tractor Organization.
He said the training will help the beneficiaries on how to use the application to register the details of farmers such as their local government, farm location and the coordinate of their farm lands.
The Commissioner added that the application would enable the government to have the details of farmers in the state.
Olasunkanmi hinted that the application would help in knowing the acres of land to be cultivated, the types of crops and the size of land farmers wish to invest in, as this would enable the government to come to their aid.
According to him, the state government is training the participants on farmers booking applications, which will help the government to know the details of the farmers such as the size of the farm, crops type and more.
He added that the application will equally reveal the location of the farm right from the office and will also help in monitoring activities of the Agric Extension Officers across the 33 local governments.
The Commissioner explained that the present government in the state would leave no stone unturned to ensure farmers are encouraged through various support by eliminating their sufferings, stressing that this would enhance food security in the state.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Christianah Abioye urged the participants to pay rapt attention to the training, saying that after their retirement, they can as well be an agent to the Hello Tractors Organization.
While encouraging farmers on the need to take proper coordinate of farmers’ farm land, the General Manager, Agricultural Credit Cooperation of Oyo State, Comrade Ogundiran said the training coincided with the planting season in which farmers would need more funds to clear land for farming.
He thanked the government for being proactive in ensuring food security in the state.
In her address, the Team Lead and facilitator, Hello Tractor Organization, Miss Blessing Agu, commended the Oyo government for its various ongoing efforts in supporting framers in the state.
She said the many challenges faced by farmers in the country at large has drastically reduced food production.
