The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture is partnering the Oyo State Government on the use of technology in agriculture to combat unemployment among the youths and to boost food production in the state.
Dr Chrys Akem, Coordinator for Technologies for Africa Agricultural Transformation, IITA, made the disclosure on Tuesday during the IITA Enable-TAAT Open Day held at the Oyo State-IITA Youth Agricbusiness Park Centre, Awe where the Institute showcased new technologies in agriculture farming system.
Akem, who noted that there are challenges of unemployment among the youths in Africa, said the state government had begun to rip the benefits of the researches that were undertaken by the agricultural institute.
The expert said TAAT, which is being funded by the African Development Bank, bordered on the relevance of technology in building agriculture.
He said, “There is a lot of research going on over the years. They end up in bookshelves and the farmers are not feeling the impact. This particular project is to look at all the technologies that have been developed to see how we can transform them into reality to transform agriculture in Africa.
“This kind of programme is being implemented in about 29 African countries and Nigeria is just one of them. It is to make sure that Africans feed themselves. The key message is to look at agriculture as a business. On this occasion, we have youths who are testifying on how rich they have become through agriculture. We want more youths to come into agriculture. We have more youths out there who are jobless.
“IITA as an institution has a campus but we collaborate with the government. We are based in Oyo and we have the advantage that this park is owned by the state government. We have signed a memorandum of understanding to train Oyo youths in agriculture. We are trying to build resilience in Africa youths on improved agricultural system.
“Part of the philosophy of this project is to reach out to the communities to demonstrate some of the technologies that are available so that the people of the community can use it to meet their needs and to improve their livelihood and well-being. This agricultural hub is owned by Oyo State. They have come into partnership with IITA to see how we can use this centre to train the youths in various aspects of agriculture so that they can take agriculture as a business.”
Trainings at the entre cover both the theory and practical aspects of agriculture to build young farmers.
The beneficiaries of the programme, comprising young men and women, expressed interest and appreciation on the project describing it as a gold mine and a sure way to sustenance.
Among those who were present on the occasion are wife of the Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Mrs Charlotte Sangiga; Mrs Margaret Olaoluwa; the representative of the Alawe of Awe, Chief Samuel Oladipo; and some beneficiaries of the IITA training on use of technology in agriculture.
