Oyo Govt trains 250 retirees on agro-business

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Oyo State Government has trained 250 retirees and some intending retirees in agricultural practices and micro-livestock management, as part of efforts to promote food security and economic sustainability.

The training, which held on Wednesday at the Local Government Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan, was aimed at equipping participants with alternative income-generating skills after retirement.

Speaking at the event, the Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, noted the importance of agriculture in providing therapeutic and financial benefits. She urged retirees to consider ventures such as crop cultivation, poultry, aquaculture, and agro-processing.

She added that small-scale initiatives like backyard gardening and snail farming could develop into medium-scale enterprises with consistent effort and adequate support.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, highlighted the Makinde administration’s interventions, including a 50% subsidy on tractorization, provision of motorcycles to extension officers, and the distribution of inputs to farmers.

Olaleye noted that 161 agricultural officers had been recruited to enhance service delivery across the state, and said the government would support retirees interested in pursuing agriculture by providing necessary inputs as needed.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Abosede Owoeye, emphasized that agriculture remains a key pillar of economic diversification, assuring that participants would receive tools to explore viable, low-risk agro-enterprises.