The Southwest Commodity Farmers Organization and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission have partnered to strengthen food security in the region.
The collaboration was announced by DAWN Commission Chairman, Mr Seye Oyeleye, during a meeting held on Tuesday in Ibadan to identify and address farmers’ challenges across the Southwest.
Oyeleye said the partnership aims to bring multiple agricultural associations under one umbrella and streamline their activities for more effective results.
He noted that a unified leadership would enable the region to better harness benefits, unlike previous years when governments were uncertain about which organizations to engage.
“We aren’t competing; we want self-sufficiency. Food security requires teamwork, and I’m glad that at today’s meeting, more than 11 or 12 associations have agreed to come together,” Oyeleye said.
He also announced an upcoming Farmers General Assembly, which will guide informed decisions for the 2026 farming season.
The President of the Southwest Commodity Farmers Organization, Prince Olusegun Asaolu, highlighted the importance of consensus-building to improve agriculture.
“When you want to move forward, you must talk and agree,” he said, while noting that climate change presents significant challenges and calls for government support in irrigation and the supply of modern farming inputs to engage youths.
Asaolu added that the Southwest is blessed with earth dams and the River Basin Authority, urging government intervention to develop these resources.
“Our governments need to develop these earth dams and work with farmers so that they can be engaged year-round in food production, as is happening in other regions,” he said.
Farmers at the meeting also raised concerns about outdated farming methods. Gabriel Ogunsanya from Osun State called for urgent government support in providing modern agricultural inputs and irrigation systems to attract youth participation.
Similarly, Mrs Omotayo Ajoba from Lagos State urged farmers to adopt irrigation to combat the effects of climate change and called on all levels of government to address farmers’ needs, particularly in water management.
