The Oyo State government has trained 140 young people in tractor operation as part of its efforts to promote mechanised farming and reduce unemployment among rural youth.
The four-day programme, which opened on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the Secretariat in Ido Local Government Area (Ibadan/Ibarapa zone), was organised by the state’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said the training was designed to address the shortage of skilled tractor operators and to strengthen the state’s tractorisation scheme.
He explained that many tractor operators in the state are ageing, raising concerns about continuity in tillage operations.
According to him, participants will receive hands-on instruction in safe and efficient tractor handling, with emphasis on modern mechanised farming techniques.
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The government also provided trainees with safety boots, helmets, gloves, and other protective gear to ensure strict adherence to safety standards during and after the training.
Olaleye noted that outstanding trainees will be attached to members of the Tractor Owners Association and tractor-hiring companies for further mentorship, with the aim of creating sustainable career paths in the agricultural mechanisation sector.
The Commissioner added that the training would be extended to other zones in the state, including Oke-Ogun, Oyo, and Ogbomoso, in line with Governor Seyi Makinde’s vision to expand access to mechanised farming and improve food security.
He emphasised that the initiative is not only aimed at boosting agricultural productivity but also at tackling youth unemployment and creating new opportunities for economic independence in both urban and rural communities.