The Institute of Agricultural research and Training (IAR&T) has introduced the Microveg Innovation platform to Indigenous vegetable famers in Oyo state.
The innovation platform is targeted towards encouraging fertilizer usage, improved production, marketing, transportation and preservation of indigenous vegetables.
The Deputy Director of Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) Dr A.A Adegbite who made this known at an event held at IAR&T training hall Ibadan, remarked that the innovation will provide sustainable development and also employment for youths in Oyo State.
Adegbite also stated that the innovation would equip farmers with the knowledge of how to better plant vegetables such as Igbo, Ugu and Tete Abalaye.
Speaking, the Regional Head Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Mrs. C.A Awe remarked this kind of innovation platform would to help to improve agricultural practices in terms of processing, packaging and marketing in other to boost export of these produce.
Also speaking, principal investigator of Microveg Innovation Platform Professor Duro Oyedele stated that the project would empower indigenous vegetable farmers, promote agro economic, value addition and link farmers to their intended markets.
According to him, development of technology capsule on fertilizer, micro-housing and water management, using the innovative and satellite dissemination approach were some of the aims of the innovation platform.
Oyedele also emphasized the need for regulated use of fertilizer in cultivating indigenous vegetable.
He revealed that the food processing team of the innovation platform had made progress in producing snacks such as biscuit, chin-chin and bread fortified with vegetable.
The permanent Secretary, Oyo state Ministry of Agriculture, Natural resources and Rural development, Mr. Victor Adelodun also expressed his delight at the launching of the platform stating that such platforms will complement the various programmes of the Oyo State government in Agriculture.
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