The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) led by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the “Every Home a Garden” initiative in Oyo State to promote farming and enhance food production.
The event, held at the Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture Conference Hall in Ibadan, aimed to encourage families to embrace home gardening as a means of improving household nutrition, generating income, and contributing to national food sufficiency.
Speaking on behalf of the First Lady, the wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs. Joke Sanni reaffirmed the government’s commitment to agricultural development.
She noted that the initiative aligns with efforts to ensure food sufficiency while empowering households to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy.
“This initiative offers an opportunity to integrate urban and rural households into productive farming, ensuring that no home is left behind in the journey toward a food-secure future.”she stated
She encouraged all beneficiaries to fully utilize the opportunity, stating that the knowledge and tools provided should serve as the foundation for sustainable agricultural practices within homes and communities.
The event featured practical training sessions on home gardening techniques and sustainable farming practices.
In a lecture on Effective Garden Management, Mrs. Abdullateef Biliqis highlighted the health benefits of gardening and provided a step-by-step guide to successful cultivation.
She stressed the importance of proper layout design, selecting high-quality seeds, and maintaining best management practices to ensure a productive garden.
Similarly, Mr. Hassan Kifuli Oladele, in his presentation on Dry Season Home Gardening, encouraged participants to take advantage of year-round farming. He listed the benefits of dry season gardening, including steady food supply and increased agricultural output.
He also provided insights on site selection, land preparation, and soil enrichment techniques to maximize productivity.
According to him, tackling food shortages requires collective action, and every household must play its part in food production.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Olukemi, who represented Oyo State in last year’s Every Home a Garden competition, lauded the initiative, describing it as transparent and impactful .
She encouraged more families to embrace gardening, stating that agriculture should not be seen merely as a business but as an essential part of daily life.
The event concluded with the distribution of farming tools, including hoes, watering cans, and seeds, to beneficiaries.
Also in attendance were the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Balogun, and representatives from the Ministries of Health, Youth, and Sports.
