The Oyo state government in collaboration with Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition Gain, has trained 165 youths and women farmers on cultivation, pest control and processing of improved varieties of three staple crops.
The training tagged “Training the Trainer” includes planting and processing of Orange, Fleshed Sweet Potato(OFSP), Vitamin A Cassava and Vitamin A maize.
Speaking at the opening of the Training, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye advised farmers to adopt good agricultural practices in the cultivation of improved varieties of crops.
Olaleye said women and youth are being taught on how to plant and process Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato, Vitamin A Cassava and Vitamin A Maize, to enhance and enrich nutritional content of food production and food security in the state.
He called on farmers to embrace improved varieties of cassava stems as they have enormous benefits and give more yield per hectare.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Christiana Abioye said, the seminar is another milestone in the history of the Ministry in time like this when the country is experiencing food scarcity.
Speaking, the Head of Policy, Advocacy and Communication, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Barrister Joyce Akpata commended the State Government for creating a conducive environment.
She stressed that GAIN has been operating in 4 local government areas in the state, but due to prioritization in agriculture by the state government, the opportunity has been extended to the 33 local governments in the state.
