As part of efforts to elevate the transformation of the agricultural sector of Ogun State through digitalisation, the state government has launched Ogun State Farmers Information Management System (OGFIMS).
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Bolu Owotomo, stated this when he played host to the lead project consultant, OGFIMS and GermPlasm Health Unit of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr Lava Kumar in his office, in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
He said this is geared towards providing aid and managing data of farmers, thereby serving as the catalyst for economy development and elevation of the agric sector in the state.
While inspecting the control room of OGFIMS at Oke-Mosan, Owootomo, said it was imperative for the agricultural sector of the state to be elevated to aid its transformation through digitalisation, stressing that a data-driven approach would empower farmers and ultimately improve their productivity.
The commissioner highlighted his four strategic focus areas to include increased agricultural productivity, improved value chain, job creation for the youth and attracting investment into the state agricultural sector.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Samuel Adeogun, maintained that OGFIMS was meant to serve as a database to manage farmers’ information, stressing that the innovation would encourage young people to see agriculture as an important sector, knowing it has been digitalised.
Speaking, the Lead Facilitator, Dr Lava Kumar, explained that OGFIMS was a one-stop resource for information, coordination of farmers, e-marketing and other applications to improve agriculture and agricultural business sector in the state.