Oyo, FAO move to boost food security, mechanised farming

​The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining and strengthening its partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to enhance agricultural practices and boost food security across the state.

​The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musbau Babatunde, gave this assurance on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde while receiving the newly appointed FAO Country Representative, Hussein Gadain, at the Secretariat in Ibadan on Saturday.

​Prof. Babatunde stated that the current administration is committed to harnessing strategic partnerships with international development organisations like the FAO to promote innovation, boost agricultural productivity, and achieve sustainable rural development. He emphasized that agriculture remains a key pillar in the state’s economic agenda, adding that collaboration with global bodies would further support farmers with modern techniques, capacity building, and access to improved inputs.

​The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, explained that the state has made significant progress through various interventions. These include the promotion of mechanized farming through a 50 percent tractorization subsidy, the distribution of improved seedlings, and the provision of fertilizers at subsidized rates.

​He further noted that the government has intensified efforts in rural road rehabilitation, irrigation support, livestock development, and youth engagement in agribusiness to reduce post-harvest losses and increase farmers’ income.

​In his remarks, the FAO Country Representative, Hussein Gadain, commended the state government for its proactive approach to agricultural development. He expressed readiness to deepen collaboration in areas such as climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness development, and food systems transformation.

​Gadain highlighted the FAO’s ongoing contributions to Nigeria, including support for smallholder farmers through capacity building, provision of climate-resilient seeds, and the implementation of digital agricultural solutions aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change.