Ogunlade urges extension workers to prioritise productivity
By Abubakar Abdulquadri
The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, Prof. Israel Ogunlade, has called on agricultural extension officers and farmers in rural communities to prioritise safety for better productivity.
Prof. Ogunlade made the call last Tuesday (February 10, 2026) while speaking at the opening ceremony of a training for extension workers and farmers, themed “Enhancing Farmers’ Resilience to Occupational Hazards”, held at the Sasakawa Seminar Room.
The Dean stated that the training was part of the activities of one of the Research Teams that won the 2025 Senate Research Grants in the Faculty. He commended the efforts of the Principal Investigator, Prof. Abraham Falola and other members of the Research Team.
In his presentation, titled “Understanding Occupational Hazards in Farming”, Prof. Falola analysed occupational hazards as any workplace condition that causes a risk to an individual. He listed various forms of hazards, including physical, chemical, biological, environmental, psychosocial, and ergonomic hazards.
According to him, physical hazards include machinery accidents and falls, while chemical hazards pose risks from agro-chemicals and fuel. Biological hazards include common insects that bite or sting, such as mosquitoes, honeybees, and wasps among others.
Prof. Falola advised agricultural extension workers to evaluate hazards where possible, substitute hazardous substances with safer alternatives, implement emergency controls, and use administrative controls by providing and enforcing the use of personal protective equipment.
In her lecture, titled “Practical Safety Measures”, Prof. Oluyemisi B. Fawole emphasised that the use of Personal Protective Equipment is very important and highlighted that head protection includes the use of helmets, eye and face protection, and full-face shields, which could be used for safety purposes. She also enlightened the participants on the importance of Machinery and Equipment Safety, Chemical Safety, Biological Hazard Prevention, and Environmental Safety.
Prof. Fawole drew the participants’ attention to hearing and respiratory protection, recommending the use of earplugs and earbuds as essential for safety at the farm. She charged participants to cultivate the habit of wearing disposable suits for protection against hazardous substances, bee-keeping suits for protection from bee stings, and high-visibility clothing to ensure safety around moving machinery or vehicles.
The Professor of Agronomy encouraged participants to properly label containers when refilling chemicals and to plan their work around weather forecasts and rest periods to improve their health. She also appealed to farmers to always maintain hygiene when they come into contact with animals to avoid bacteria and other microorganisms.
Discussing “Emergency Preparedness and Response to Occupational Hazards among Farmers in Rural Communities”,Prof. Kemi Omotesho,educated participants on the need to develop a plan tailored to specific hazards, such as animal kicks, snake bites, Falls, insect stings, and farmer-herder conflicts.
Prof. Omotesho emphasised the importance of communication during emergencies and urged extension workers to collaborate with health officers to provide first-aid training for farmers. She equally encouraged farmers to keep first-aid kits on their farms and to reach out to emergency contacts when necessary. In an interactive session, she also led farmers in sharing their experiences and indigenous methods for managing common farm hazards.
In his lecture, Dr A.T. Jamiu spoke extensively on “Building Psychological Resilience and Promoting a Culture of Safety”, advising farmers to prioritise their mental health, engage in exercises that reduce stress, eat balanced diet, establish consistent routine for quality rest, and create time for family discussions. He also emphasised the need for farmers to stay involved in their community activities and maintain connections beyond the farm gate.
The extension officers and farmers expressed gratitude to the Research Team, the Faculty of Agriculture, and the University for the opportunity to participate in the training and promised to share the knowledge acquired in their respective locations.