Oyo state government has emphasized the need for innovative agricultural practices for enhanced food security.
The Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on International Cooperation, Development, and Agribusiness, Dr. Debo Akande, stated at the Incitis Food Roadshow, held at the University of Ibadan Living Lab training centre.
Dr. Akande, who called for a shift from traditional farming methods, underscored the importance of integrating Oyo State into the global food value chain.
He stressed the necessity of evolving agricultural practices to meet modern demands, saying: “Agriculture has gone beyond the peasantry system. We need to look at diverse areas in rural and urban settings to groom the agricultural food systems of the state.”
This perspective, Akande said, highlighted the need for a multifaceted approach to agriculture that includes both traditional practices and modern innovations.
Advocating for comprehensive policy reform, the agribusiness expert noted, “There is a need to start diversifying beyond just smallholder farmers.”
He urged the implementation of policies that support medium and large agribusinesses, emphasizing that these changes are essential for ensuring food security.
“We must promote industrial and urban agriculture at both national and subnational levels,” he added, reinforcing the idea that a diverse agricultural landscape is crucial for economic growth.”
The Incitis Food Roadshow featured key insights from Dr. Oyediran Oyebola, principal investigator of the University of Ibadan Living Lab and the Incitis food project.
Dr. Oyebola outlined the progress made following a general assembly in February, where they introduced innovative solutions aimed at improving food systems.
“In February, we had a general assembly here, we presented that we have started working on innovations to improve the food system in urban areas,” he explained.
He further emphasised that “the innovations are not just limited to urban areas but applicable to every area where food is being produced using modern technologies.”
One of the standout innovations discussed was the integration of multiple crops, such as tomatoes, vegetables, and Tatase peppers, cultivated together using advanced agricultural techniques.
“We have seen the performances that all of these can produce using these systems,” Dr. Oyebola reported.
He shared encouraging findings from their economic analyses, adding: “We have also tried to do some economic analysis and we find out that there is a high level of profitability using these things. This insight underscores the potential for increased revenue through innovative farming practices.”
Dr. Oyebola also highlighted the water conservation benefits of these integrated systems, pointing out that: “This system has been a good one; we have seen how black soldier flies can be produced using low-cost materials.”
He explained that the larvae from these flies can be added to fish feed, significantly reducing feeding costs.
“The fras from the black soldier flies can now be added to fish feed to reduce the cost of feeding,” he said, illustrating how waste can be transformed into a valuable resource.
“Since the project’s inception, over 200 individuals have received training in these innovative agricultural systems.”
Dr. Oyebola emphasised the importance of community engagement, stating, “We are still going into more research as how to reuse the waste.”
He also urged citizens to adopt these practices stressing: “These are innovations that have been working in other countries. Now that there is food scarcity in the country, these are innovations that the government should come up to put policies on ground mandating people to produce something in their houses.”
“We are ready to partner with any organisation that is interested in training people in this technology,” Dr. Oyebola affirmed.
He expressed a commitment to extend training beyond Ibadan to reach a wider audience, provided that facilitators can be mobilised.
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