The Oyo State Government has commenced activities marking the 2026 World Food Day celebration with an agricultural quiz competition and interactive session aimed at encouraging youths and students to embrace agriculture, innovation and modern farming practices.
The event, held on Thursday at the Parliament Building, House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan, featured discussions on agricultural innovation, food security, sustainable farming practices and the role of young people in transforming the agricultural sector.
Delivering the keynote address on the first day of the two-day celebration, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said achieving innovation in agriculture required deliberate efforts to encourage youths and students to embrace the sector.
He noted that young people had a critical role to play in developing innovative solutions to agricultural challenges and ensuring sustainable food production for future generations.
Speaking on the various initiatives of the present administration towards enhancing food security, Olaleye said the government of Governor Seyi Makinde had continued to implement programmes aimed at improving agricultural productivity, strengthening rural infrastructure and supporting farmers across the state.
The Commissioner disclosed that about 24,000 farmers had been trained in soil testing and climate-smart agricultural practices in 2026 to improve farming efficiency, productivity and resilience to climate change.
He added that the state government had also prioritised the construction of key rural roads to improve accessibility to farming communities and facilitate the timely transportation of agricultural produce. The roads include Ibadan-Iseyin, Oyo-Iseyin, Ogbomoso-Iseyin and Saki-Ogboro-Igboho roads, among others.
Olaleye further explained that through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), the state government had invested in the remodelling of major markets to improve agricultural marketing and support rural economic development.
He listed Oja-Agbe Market in Iseyin, Aare-Alasa Market in Akanran, Ona-Ara Local Government Area, and Oja-Oba Market in Igbo-Ora, Ibarapa Central Local Government Area, among the markets whose remodelling, including storage facilities, had been completed.
According to him, the theme of the 2026 World Food Day, “Innovation Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” aligns with Oyo State’s agricultural development agenda, stressing the need to move beyond traditional approaches and embrace innovation, technology, research and sustainable practices to transform the sector.
He maintained that the future of food security depended on adopting improved agricultural methods, noting that the state could not adequately feed future generations with outdated farming practices.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
He added that the government would continue to support initiatives that improve agricultural productivity, strengthen value chains, empower women and youths, promote agribusiness and enhance food security across the state.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mofoluwake Ibitoye, described the theme as a timely reminder that the future of food security depended on the actions and innovations embraced today.
According to her, the theme calls for the adoption of new ideas, technologies and sustainable agricultural practices that can increase food production, reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmers’ livelihoods and ensure access to safe, nutritious and affordable food for all.
Speaking on innovative agricultural practices, one of the resource persons, Professor Morufat Balogun, urged youths, women and students to embrace innovative approaches and modern technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and promote sustainable food production.
She highlighted hydroponics and other soilless farming systems as innovative approaches for producing healthy, disease-free planting materials and achieving higher yields.
She urged participants to explore modern agricultural technologies and develop the skills needed to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the sector.
In their separate remarks, the representative of the Oyo State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Chief Mrs. Hannah Hamzat, and the representative of Baale Agbe, Chief Aiki, commended the Oyo State Government for its efforts towards agricultural development and food security.
They encouraged sustained collaboration among government, farmers, agricultural organisations and other stakeholders to strengthen food production and improve the livelihoods of farming communities.
The event featured food and agricultural exhibitions, interactive sessions and an agricultural quiz competition, with awards presented to participating students from Wesley College, Ibadan; Oladipo Alayande School of Science; Royal College School, Agodi; and En-Joy High School.
The two-day celebration continues on Friday,with a health and nutrition rally from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development premises to Oje Market, an exhibition of locally produced agricultural products and the presentation of awards to outstanding performers in the state’s agricultural sector.
