Economy

Agriculture important to economy diversification – Senator Kola Balogun

By Web News 687

Agriculture sector is pivotal to achieving diversification of the Nigerian economy. 

The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, senator Kola Balogun stated this at the three days training programme held at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, IAR&T, Apata Ibadan. 

Senator Balogun explained that agriculture has vast potentials the government could leverage on to create jobs and reduce poverty in the country.

Senator Balogun, therefore, urged the participants to make use of knowledge and skills acquired during the training.

Also speaking, Executive Director, Institute of Agricultural Research & Training, IAR&T, Ibadan, Professor Veronica Obatolu pointed out that the country has the natural endowment for agriculture to thrive and provide basis for the growth of agro-allied industries and businesses. 

Professor Obatolu urged government to fund Agricultural institutes to make them bedrock of diversification as was the case before the oil boom era when the sector provided the bulk of the country’s revenue.

Funmilola Obagbayegun

Agriculture

IAR&T, Agro-Firms Organize Capacity Building for Farmers

By Web News 800

About thirty farmers from various constituencies of Oyo State are undergoing a capacity building on the handling of modern farming equipment in Ibadan, Oyo state.

 The two-day training is organized by Alvitrix Integrated Limited, Abuja, in collaboration with Bora-Agro Nigeria Limited and Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, IAR&T, Apata, Ibadan.

Addressing the participants, Director, IAR&T, Ibadan, Professor Veronica Obatolu, said the training would avail them the opportunity to overcome the most difficult aspect of Agricultural production.

Speaking through the coordinator of the training, Dr. Adebayo Oke, Professor Obatolu stated that the modern farming equipment would be made available to the farmers at affordable prices after the training.

Professor Obatolu noted that forty five farmers, who were selected by Federal lawmakers representing them, participated in the first batch of the training last December.

Participants are expected to undergo training on handling some modern farming equipment such as seed planter, mobile weeder, fertilizer applicator, bush cutter and conventional Irrigation Pump for small scale.

Olaolu Fawole