As part of initiatives to activate the transformation of the agriculture sector of Ogun State through digitalisation, the state government has launched Ogun State Farmers Information Management System (OGFIMS). This information was provided by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Bolu Owootomo, When he hosted the lead project consultant, OGFIMS and the Germplasm Health Unit of the international Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Lava Kumar in his office.
The commissioner said this system is designed to provide assistance in managing data of farmers and for the managing data of farmers, thereby serving as the catalyst for economy development and elevation of the agriculture sector in the state. While inspecting the control room of OGFIMS, he said it was imperative for the agriculture 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 while the four strategic focus areas include increased agricultural productivity, improved value chain, job creation for the youth an attracting investment into the state’s agriculture sector.
The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Samuel Adeogun, disclosed that OGFIMS was meant to serve as a database to manage farmers’ information, stressing this innovation would encourage young people to see agriculture as an important sector, knowing it has been digitalised. 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. OGFIMS, funded by the World Bank, is a joint digital agriculture initiative that is part of OGSTEP, aimed at supporting existing agricultural structures in the state. OGFIMS offers a one-stop resource to farmers and other value chain actors in the state. The initiative is meant to unleash the full potential of the agriculture sector and ensure that farmers are connected to agrarian opportunities for better productivity and yields.
