Oyo State begins youth tractor training to boost mechanised farming, empower 140 young people, and address unemployment and food security
Oyo State youth tractor training programme has commenced with 140 young participants across three agricultural zones, as the government intensifies efforts to promote mechanised farming and tackle youth unemployment.
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The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, announced the initiative on Monday during the opening ceremony of the four-day training in the Ibadan/Ibarapa zone, held at the Ido Local Government Secretariat.
According to Mr Olaleye, the programme reflects the state’s strategic vision for modern agriculture and sustainable youth empowerment.
He noted that the training would equip participants with critical skills to replace the ageing workforce of tractor operators and ensure continuity in tillage operations.
“This initiative will directly support our ambitious tractorisation programme and significantly increase agricultural productivity throughout the state,” he said.
Highlighting the broader impact of the Oyo State youth tractor training, Olaleye described it as more than a skill-building exercise.
He said the project is laying the groundwork for sustainable farming systems and food security across rural and urban communities.
Participants are being trained in essential principles of mechanised farming, including safe, efficient, and productive tractor operation.
Safety kits, such as overalls, gloves, boots, and helmets, have been provided to ensure best safety practices during the hands-on sessions.
The commissioner emphasised that the best-performing participants will be offered apprenticeships with members of the Tractor Owners Association and established tractor hiring firms, creating pathways to long-term employment and economic independence.
“This is not just training; it is an investment in the future of agriculture in Oyo State. These young people will become the new drivers of our food economy,” Olaleye added.
The programme is also being simultaneously implemented in the Oke-Ogun and Oyo-Ogbomoso zones, making it a state-wide initiative.
Some participants expressed their enthusiasm and gratitude for the opportunity. Hammed Oladapo said the training would improve his job prospects, noting the shortage of tractor drivers in the state.
Idowu Babatunde shared that the programme is helping him realise a long-held goal of learning to operate a tractor, while Muyiwa Ibikunle said the training aligns with his ambition to pursue mechanised farming.
Meanwhile, the state government recently disclosed that 3,000 hectares of land at the Ijaiye Farm Settlement have been earmarked for a Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone and a modern wholesale food market modelled after Paris’ Rungis Market.
According to Dr Debo Akande, Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, this development will offer greater value for farmers and further transform the agricultural landscape.
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As the Oyo State youth tractor training progresses, expectations are high that the initiative will lead to increased employment, food production, and a more resilient agricultural economy.
