Radio IITA 88.5 is strengthening its outreach efforts in 2025 with a targeted maize training session held in Oyo State on April 17. In partnership with IITA’s maize improvement program, the session brought together local maize farmers for a full-day learning experience designed to boost productivity through improved agronomic practices.
Held at the IITA headquarters in Ibadan, the training addressed key areas such as field preparation, variety selection, optimal planting techniques, nutrient management, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling. Facilitators combined expert-led discussions with hands-on demonstrations to ensure farmers could immediately apply what they learned.
Radio IITA Lead, Dajie Odok, emphasized the importance of continuity in farmer training initiatives. “We’ve had a great start to the year with our food safety outreach. Now, we’re building on that momentum with crop-focused training. It’s all about equipping farmers with practical tools that work in their local context,” she said.
Dr. Silvestro Meseka of the maize improvement program provided insights into selecting and managing improved maize varieties that are better suited for yield, disease resistance, and climate resilience. He encouraged farmers to adopt hybrid and open-pollinated varieties and pay close attention to soil conditions and planting timelines.
“We’re not just distributing information,” said IITA researcher Idris Adejumobi. “We’re reshaping how farmers think about maize cultivation from the moment they choose a field, right through to harvesting and marketing.”
For many of the participants, the session offered valuable takeaways. “I never knew how much I was losing by adding fertilizer at inappropriate times,” said Samuel Adeleke, a maize farmer from Oyo town. “This training has opened my eyes to new methods that I can start using immediately.”
This maize outreach is one of several programs Radio IITA is rolling out this year, following earlier engagements on food safety across rural communities. The initiative remains focused on supporting smallholder farmers with reliable, research-based knowledge to improve yields, livelihoods, and food security across Nigeria.

Contributed by Anu Oyeleye