The Governor of Osun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has sent 20 youths to
Germany in line with his administration’s commitment to raising
agriculture from subsistence to mechanised farming in order to increase
food productions for local consumption as well as exportation.
The Governor stated this at a send-off ceremony for Batch A of 40
youths being sponsored to Germany for advanced training in agriculture
and food production technology in State of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
According to the Governor, this training is in continuation of his
government’s drive to revolutionise agriculture in the state under the
Osun Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Programme (O’REAP).
He said the administration is providing the necessary infrastructure
and support for farmers with inputs, which requires supplying them with
inputs such as improved seedlings, fertilizers and fumigants among
others; giving them hundreds of thousands of hectares of already
prepared farmlands.
Besides, he added that government is liaising with reputable local
and international partners –such as Institute for Agricultural Research
and Training (IRA&T), and International Institute for Tropical
Agriculture (IITA), at Ibadan – for assistance in the area of technical
knowledge that will boost production and make farming easier, more
interesting and more profitable.
“Our efforts in this direction is geared towards taking farming in
Osun from subsistence level to modern commercial farming, because we
know that it is at this level that the farming is really worth it as a
profession.
“And as a necessary accompaniment to realising this goal, it is
needful to add value to our agricultural practice by applying advanced
knowledge in science and technology.
“We have adopted a multipronged approach to achieving this objective.
On one hand, we are providing the necessary infrastructure and
supporting our farmers with inputs".
“This requires supplying them with inputs such as improved seedlings,
fertilizers and fumigants among others; giving them hundreds of
thousands of hectares of already prepared farmlands; reviving the old
farm settlements that were the hub of the agricultural miracles of the
Obafemi Awolowo era; opening up our rural areas by an aggressive
campaign of road construction and rehabilitation to facilitate easy
accessibility and movement of goods from farms to markets; and the
linking of farm produce from Osun to the huge market in Lagos via the
Lagos-Osun Rail Logistics System,” Aregbesola said.
The trainees will undergo a four-week intensive course in an
agricultural training school where they will be exposed to the rudiments
of modern agriculture and food crop production techniques.
This will also be followed by another eight weeks of attachment
training under 11 large-scale co-operative farmers in Saxony-Anhalt so
that they can learn more and build on the assessed capacities and
interests they have acquired during the first four weeks of training.
Admonishing the trainees, the Governor said: “You must also see this
opportunity as service to the State of Osun and part of your own
contributions to its growth and development.
“In addition to your agricultural training, you will also be required
upon your return to serve as middle level link between the State and
German experts who will oversee the German Best Practice Demonstration
Farm, whichwill begin operation, here in the state, any time soon.
“You are carrying the trust of your families, that of the government
and people of Osun. You must therefore prove yourselves to be worthy
ambassadors of Osun and live through to the standard of Omoluabi that
you are.
“Be focused, be diligent, and be dedicated to your trainings. Keep
your eyes firmly on the ultimate goals, for it is the only way for you
to reap the benefits. Your performance and conduct will affect the
chances of others that will come after you. Do not ruin them.”
In his response on behalf of the trainees, Olumide Ojo, thanked the
Governor for giving them such special privilege. He promised that they
will put up special performance in Germany and make the state government
proud.
- The OluwaConquer Daily
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