Oyo State Government, on Thursday, flagged off digital soil testing for 100 communities to assist farmers in identifying healthy soil suitable for particular crops.
The initiative was aimed at enhancing productivity as well as increasing farm produce, profitability and crop yields, among others.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, who performed the flag-off at Ipapo/Iseyin farm settlements, described soil as the foundation upon which the success of all agricultural endeavours rests.
Olaleye noted that healthy soil would not only support the growth of crops but also contribute to environmental sustainability and ecosystem resilience.
According to him, the government recognises the crucial roles that farmers play in ensuring food safety and sustainability of agriculture in the state, hence the digital soil testing initiative for the farmers.
The commissioner said that the exercise would involve training farmers on soil health as well as empowering agricultural communities with the knowledge and resources necessary to optimise soil fertility and productivity.
“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, thereby tailoring interventions to address specific needs,” he said.
Olaleye called on agricultural extension agents and farmers to actively participate in the registration process and take advantage of the opportunities it offered.
Earlier in her address of welcome, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Christiana Ajiboye, said that the soil testing programme was crucial to the future of the agricultural sector in the state.
Ajiboye stated that the initiative would avail farmers the opportunity to be trained on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), while they would be put in a comprehensive database.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Oyo State chapter, Mr Abass Adewunmi, expressed optimism that the participating farmers would benefit immensely from the programme.
Adewunmi, who commended the government for its timely support to farmers in the state, said that the initiative would assist them to have more farm produce and increased profitability.
NAN
