In a move to train youths about farm mechanisation and how to operate tractors, the Oyo State Government has organised a four-day training programme across the state.
The programme, which held in all the 33 local government areas of the state, was facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER).
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, while kicking off the training, said the initiative was aimed at enhancing capacity for agricultural productivity in the state to guarantee food sufficiency.
Speaking at a symbolic flag-off ceremony held at Ido Local Government Area, Olaleye explained that the initiative was designed to empower participants with essential skills in tractor operation and driving, with the goal of replacing ageing tractor workforce in the state.
The commissioner added that 140 participants would be trained in the scheme; with 50 participants drawn from the Oke-Ogun zone, 45 participants from Ogbomoso zone and 45 participants from Ibadan-Ibarapa zones.
He said: “I want to sincerely appreciate Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s dedication to the Sustainable Actions for Economic Recovery (SAfER) programme and the broader agricultural mechanisation agenda.
“This demonstrates a clear understanding that our young people are not just beneficiaries of development programmes, but active partners in building a prosperous and food-secured Oyo State.
“This programme represents far more than a skill acquisition initiative but embodies the current administration’s strategic vision for comprehensive youth empowerment and agricultural modernisation.
“Through this carefully-designed training, we are creating sustainable pathways to meaningful employment, economic independence and significantly reducing youth unemployment in both our rural and urban communities.”
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Abosede Owoeye, noted that the training programme is a reflection of the administration’s commitment to empowering young people and building a foundation for a secured agricultural future.
She lauded the governor for his administration’s commitment to agriculture reforms, noting that several interventions, such as the Tractorisation Subsidy Programme, have helped in boosting agriculture productivity in the state.
She said: “This training is taking place simultaneously across three strategic zones, namely Ido Local Government Secretariat in Ibarapa Zone, Ogbomoso Farm Settlement in Ogbomoso Zone and OYSADEP Office in Atisbo Local Government for participants from Oke-Ogun Zone.
“I must commend Governor Makinde for his visionary leadership and various transformative interventions in the agricultural sector of our great state, most especially the ongoing 50 percent Tractorisation Subsidy Programme, which has been instrumental in assisting our farmers with land preparation and ensuring increased productivity across the state.
“I must also appreciate the dynamic contributions of our Honourable Commissioner for Agricultural and Rural Development, Barrister Olaleye, whose innovative leadership in the agricultural sector has sparked numerous impactful initiatives, including this comprehensive youth training programme we have gathered for today.”
Explaining the benefit of the training, the Permanent Secretary said it would create employment opportunities for youths and tractor owners through increased demand for their services.
“It is indeed a delight to see this training programme come to life as it reflects the present administration’s commitment to empowering young people and building the foundation for a secure agricultural future.
“This training will provide you with essential skills in tractor operations, safety practices, daily and weekly maintenance, as well as servicing procedures.
“These skills will enhance your employability and position you as active contributors to agricultural transformation in Oyo State.
“As we begin this training, I urge all participants to take full advantage of this opportunity and approach this four-day training with the seriousness it deserves – be punctual, be attentive, and actively participate in all sessions.”
In their separate responses, beneficiaries of the training lauded the government for the initiative.
One of them, Adelere Oluwaferanmi, said: “The reason I am here is because things like this tractor driving is thought to be exclusively for men, but I am here to prove them wrong.
“I believe whatever a man can do, a woman can do best. So, with this training, I will be able to drive tractor and do things that I have not been doing before.”
