Oyo Govt Launches Digital Soil Testing in 100 Communities, Trains Farmers.
By Adewale Owoade
In its bid to modernise agricultural practices, boost crop yields, and ensure food security, the Oyo State Government has launched a comprehensive digital soil testing initiative across 100 communities.
The initiative, in collaboration with OCP Africa, aims to provide farmers with precise soil data to optimize their farming practices and increase productivity.
At the pilot scheme and official flag-off ceremony held at Onitiri Village, Ipapo/Iseyin Farm Settlement, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, explained that the program involves deploying advanced soil testing technology to analyze soil samples and educate farmers on best practices for high yields and profitability.
The initiative includes training and registration of farmers to gather data on soil health status, identify challenges, and tailor interventions.
Olaleye highlighted the government’s efforts to expand the state’s economy through agriculture and agribusiness, including empowering farmers with farm inputs.
He emphasized the importance of soil health in agricultural success and encouraged farmers to participate in the registration process.
The government has implemented measures to mitigate the effects of fuel subsidy removal on farmers, including the Sustainable Actions for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative.
He said: “As we gather here today, we recognise the crucial role that farmers play in ensuring food security and sustainable agriculture in the State. No farmer, no nation!
“And as we all know, soil is the foundation upon which the success of all agricultural endeavours rest. Healthy soil not only supports the growth of crops but also contributes to environmental sustainability and ecosystem resilience.
“Through the training and registration of farmers on soil health, we aim to empower agricultural communities with the knowledge and resources necessary to optimise soil fertility and productivity.
“By understanding the unique characteristics of the soil and implementing appropriate soil management practices, we can enhance crop yields; improve farm profitability and safe-guard long term viability of agricultural lands.
“The training and registration of farmers will enable us to gather valuable data on the soil health status of our farming areas, identify potential challenges, and opportunities and tailor interventions to address specific needs.
“By collaborating with OCP Africa, targeted strategies to promote soil conservation could be developed and the use of appropriate soil amendments could also be achieved.
“As we embark on this exercise to improve soil health and advance sustainable agriculture, I call upon all extension agents and farmers to actively participate in the registration process and to take advantage of the opportunities it offers.
“This present administration acknowledges the efforts of OCP AFRICA in striving to build a resilient and thriving agricultural sector that meets the needs of current and future generations.
“Let me say without equivocation that the recent removal of fuel subsidies has presented our farming communities with unprecedented challenges.
“The increased expenses for fuel and tractorisation are added burdens to our farmers already grappling with various other operational costs.
“Recognising these challenges, the Oyo State Government under the leadership of Engr. Oluseyi Makinde has swiftly moved to implement measures to mitigate the effect of this policy change. Thus, the birth of Sustainable Actions for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative.
“May I inform you that the state government has distributed maize grain to poultry farmers, feeds to fish farmers, pig farmers, free vaccination of cattle, distribution of feeds to sheep and goat farmers, distribution of inputs to crop farmers (like hybrid maize seeds, herbicides, pesticides, fertilisers which is ongoing as well as putting in place a subsidy on the use of tractor.
“The government has not relented in its commitment to increasing farm produce hence the need to embark on soil testing in 100 hundred communities.
‘We need to reaffirm our commitment as stakeholders to stewardship of the land and responsible agricultural practices.
” Together, we can harness the power of healthy soil to nourish our communities, protect our environment and secure a prosperous future for all.”
Participants, including farmers and stakeholders, expressed their belief that the initiative would address long-standing soil management issues and increase yields.
The President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Oyo State, Adewumi Abass Adekunle, lauded the initiative as timely and long overdue.
He maintained that farmers would be better equipped with requisite farming knowledge that would help them minimise risks and challenges associated with recording high yields at harvest time.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Christiana Abioye, said the initiative was crucial to sustainable and profitable agricultural practice.
And the efforts geared towards food security in the state, describing it as the future of agriculture.
She said: “It is with great pleasure and honor that I stand before you today as we embark on this vital journey of soil testing, training of farmers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and registering farmers into a comprehensive database.”
