AKILIMO
AKILIMO
AKILIMO

Ogun State of Nigeria adopts AKILIMO as part of the EA Agronomy package

Ogun State of Nigeria adopts AKILIMO as part of the EA Agronomy package

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Ogun state government has directed that all extension agents under the state’s Agricultural development program (ADP) be trained on how to use AKILIMO tools and provide cassava agronomy recommendations to cassava growers.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture Dr Adeola Odedina asked the Ogun State Agricultural Development Program (OGADEP) to start the process organizing trainings in multiple locations across the state starting with 2,500 farmers from the state that have been profiled for access tot land.

Dr Odedina spoke at a meeting with ACAI project team, project partners and state officials in Abeokuta, Ogun state in Nigeria. ACAI through IITA will provide the complete AKILIMO tools content in all available formats to be permanently integrated into the Ogun state’s extension tools for training and agricultural advisory services. ACAI was also tasked to conduct a series of Training of Trainers (ToTs) for extension agents, technicians and state officials who will then replicate the training to their peers on the proper use of the AKILIMO tool, interpreting the recommendation and providing support to farmers.

Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture Dr Adeola Odedina speaks at a meeting with ACAI project team and partners in Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria. (Photo: Omotolani/IITA)

The state through OGADEP will mobilize extension agents, cassava farmers and youth for training on AKILIMO. The state government estimates about 7,000 young farmers between the ages of 18 and 40 are involved in the growing cassava and will be part of the targeted group. The collaboration between ACAI and OGADEP is aimed at reaching 40,000 farmers in Ogun state.

The meeting was attended by among others the Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture & Food Security Dr. Adegbite Toyin representing the office of the governor, Prof. Sanni Lateef, Prof. Jacob Olaoye and Prof. Adebowale of the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Taiwo Ayansanya, Project Manager, OGADEP, Thompson Ogunsanmi of ACAI among others.

The stakeholders will be meeting quarterly to review the implementation on the agreed action points, appraise the state leaders on the progress and address any arising issues.