Oyo Govt, KickStart International Partner to Boost Food Security, Irrigation Farming
By Adewale Owoade
The Oyo State Government, KickStart International, and other key stakeholders have pledged to strengthen agricultural sustainability and enhance food security across the state.
The stakeholders made the commitment at a forum held in Ibadan, stressing that increased agricultural productivity and improved access to farming inputs are essential to improving livelihoods and ensuring food sufficiency.
Speaking at the stakeholders’ forum organised by KickStart International, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde has continued to make significant investments in the agricultural sector.
Represented by the Ministry’s Director of Research, Planning and Statistics, Mrs Adeniran Funke, the commissioner said the state government remains committed to partnering with stakeholders to promote sustainable agriculture and food security.
He identified irrigation as a critical component of agricultural development, noting that rivers flowing through Ibadan already support many young farmers engaged in vegetable cultivation.
According to him, only about 40 per cent of the state’s water resources are currently being utilised for agricultural purposes.
”Irrigation practice is very important. Within Ibadan, we have rivers flowing through the city where many young people cultivate vegetables. The Oyo State Government has been supporting them to become more productive.
”However, only about 40 per cent of our water bodies are being utilised in Oyo State. We can do much more, and the government is interested in expanding collaboration with KickStart International to achieve this,” he said.
Olaleye added that the government is shifting its focus toward smart, precision and climate-resilient agriculture.
Citing forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) indicating reduced rainfall this year.
He urged farmers to plant early, adopt early-maturing crop varieties and embrace irrigation farming to sustain productivity.
”Government has responded by intensifying farmer training and certification programmes. Farmers are encouraged to plant early, use early-maturing varieties and adopt irrigation practices to ensure adequate productivity before rainfall declines,” he said.
In his remarks, the West Africa Regional Manager of KickStart International, Dr Festus Ademola, said the organisation has expanded support for smallholder irrigation farmers to improve livelihoods and agricultural output.
He explained that the organisation’s affordable MoneyMaker Irrigation Pumps enable farmers to cultivate crops throughout the year, sell produce during off-season periods at better prices and reduce post-harvest losses.
”What we encourage is year-round farming regardless of rainfall patterns. Farmers are able to create their own water supply for farming, increase their incomes and improve their livelihoods.
That is what we stand for,” Ademola said.
He added that KickStart International provides free training on pump operation, maintenance and good agricultural practices, noting that the manually operated pumps are simple and farmer-friendly.
Representatives of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), MFI-BOWEN, Cocoa Farmers Association and other partners pledged continued collaboration with KickStart International to promote sustainable agriculture and food security in Oyo State.
Also speaking, a participant, Mr Bankole Ojo, Project Officer with the Cocoa Sustainability and Fabrication Project, described water as a critical resource for farming.
He noted that many farmers have benefited from KickStart International’s locally manufactured and environmentally friendly irrigation pumps.