REPORTS OF THE PROVINCIAL EXCHANGE FORUM (PEF) HOSTED BY OSOGBO DIOCESE BETWEEN 28TH – 30TH MAY, 2025.

DAY 1 The PEF started with the registration of participants and thereafter a Mass held and was anchored by Rev. Fr. Akinkunmi Peter at exactly 12:15pm. WELCOMED ADDRESS BY JDPM DIRECTOR After the mass, Rev. Fr. Akinkunmi Peter; (The General Coordinator of the JDPMC, Osogbo) welcomed all the RuDeP officers from the province. He advised the officers to work towards their ambitions and not leveraging on the instability situation to salvage their vision. He also advised working with our farmers the more in the area of improved yield and creates incentives to compete with international market in food security and avoidance of food wastage. The usage of heavy chemicals should be looked into in order to enhance safe environment and promote healthy living. The RuDeP officers were also charged to work and be in support with the Government in their respective Dioceses because Government has the common will of the masses (people) and also use the windows of opportunity to acquire several benefits during election period. FIRST SESSION: Presentation on Local Innovation, Innovative, the strategy, efficacy and outcome. FACILITATOR: ONAOLAPO MORENIKE. The following key points were discussed by the facilitator • The need for the adoption and the usage of organic materials as herbicides and insecticides were analyzed. • The good news about the local innovations includes; Established by scientists that most of the local plant possesses pesticidal properties, plant extracts are safe, eco-friendly and more compatible with the environment and there is an increase trend in the use of green pesticides with more than 2,400 bioactive. • The strategies deployed in the local innovative were; Lias platform creation which comprises of 142 innovators and early adopters, farmers led research, Strategic motivational resources, quantitative data gathering and participatory treatment selection review. • The Lias roles were listed thus; active adopters of the indigenous innovations, share local innovations with other farmers, identify other local innovations in their commodity and share, participate actively in farmers-led research on the efficacy of local pesticides, share information about the local innovation results, participate actively in the bi-annual meeting and participate in the focus group discussion. • The mode of preparation of the local innovations (Evolvement); before the year 2020 – till date was analyzed i.e. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) from Initiation to LIA’s Active stage. Thereafter, there were questions and answers sessions whereby the participants asked question on the topic and appropriate answers were provided. The first session ends at 4:02pm. SECOND SESSION: FOOD PRODUCTION AT RISK IN SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA. FACILITATOR: JULIA KROJER. The following points were discussed by the facilitator as the factors that hinder food productions in South – West, Nigeria: • Climate change and weather extremes • Land degradation • Urbanization and land use pressure • Insecurity and farmer – herders conflict • Pest and diseases outbreaks • Poor infrastructure and market access • Limited access to finance and modern inputs • Youths disinterest and migration Among the above listed factors, the issue on insecurity and farmers-herders conflicts are germane and causes more side effects on food production. Peace-building initiatives and strategic principles for effectiveness were explained. PEACE BUILDING INITIATIVES To initiate a vibrant and effective peace-building, the following must be achieved;  Community dialogue platform  Peace Education and Sensitization Campaign  Inclusive Security and Policing  Joint Economic Venture  Alternative livelihood Programme  Policy Dialogue and Advocacy  Reconciliation and Restorative Justice To facilitate principles for effective Peace Building, the following should be ascertained;  Inclusivity: Engage both farmers and herders  Local Ownership: Empower community based solution instead of top-bottom approaches.  Cultural Sensitivity: Respect traditions while promoting modern conflict resolution techniques. The second session ended at 5:32 pm with a closing remark by Rev. Fr. Oyedeji Felix on behalf of Rev. Fr. Akinkunmi Peter. DAY 2 INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH LOCAL INNOVATION AMBASSADORS (LIAs) MODERATED BY: FASINA CHARLES The activity started with introduction of participants and the host. The local innovation ambassadors (LIAs) farmers’ representatives’ were from Ijesha and Atakumosa zones (FDGs). The farmers were grouped into 3 and had a focus group discussion with the RuDeP officers on the preparation, adoption and usage of the innovation as pesticides on some selected crops. The impact on the family income, cost of inputs, health’s benefits as communities were discussed. The discussion ended with a vote of thanks by Mr. Fatunwase Adefisoye (Apex Secretary) at 2:20pm. DAY 3: PEF REFLECTION AND PEF MEETING MODERATOR: ADEDEJI ANTHONY TOLULOPE The PEF reflection commenced at 8:16am. Adedeji Anthony Tolulope welcomed the participants to the meeting and urged the RUDEP Officers to be brief when given their advice and recommendations to host diocese. The recommendations were as follows:  Enlightened the group farmers to include all cost into their costs inputs in the innovation preparation.  Extend the innovations to other farmers to avoid damage to crops (e.g. not using inorganic herbicides and pesticides) and also solicit for demo-plot from other farmers to prove the success of the innovation  Work further on the Misereor areas of focus and be innovative  Work more against land grabbing issues.  Work and engage more with the State Government  Collaborate more with other JDPs for innovation  Continuous encouragement of farmers never to relent on the research work on innovations  Encourage farmers group to be an open group and be more proactive in terms of cooperative, thrift etc.  Improve on hygienist in terms of accommodation (Proper cleaning of rooms before check-in)  Encourage the farmers more on their self-innovations  Build farmers capacity more on lobby and advocacy. After the reflection, Mrs. Onaolapo Morenike appreciates all the participants for the observations made during reflection. She explained that all the observations and recommendations will be put into consideration. The reflection ends at 8:30am. PEF MEETING The PEF meeting commenced at 8: 35am. Presentation and Adoption of the Agenda as a working Documents The agenda of the meeting were reviewed by the RUPEP Officers, after the corrections and adjustment were effected on the agenda of the meeting Adedeji Anthony Tolulope moved motion for adoption of agenda and it was seconded by Afolayan Abiola. Chairman’s Welcome Address The PEF chairman Mr. Samuel Babatunde welcomed all the RUDEP officers to Osogbo. He appreciated Osogbo Diocese for hosting and accommodating us during the PEF. He urged them to keep it up. The Chairman also urged the participants to pay attention and brings out ideas and innovations that will help the province. Reading and Adoption of the minutes The minutes of the previous meeting was read by the assistant secretary and observations were made on the minutes that it was not recommended letter that was discussed but agreement letter. A few typographical errors were amended. Motion for adoption of minutes After all the observations and correction made in the minute, Mr. Adeleke Basir moved motion for adoption of the minutes and it was seconded by Mr. Adedeji Anthony Tolulope MATTERS ARISING. SuFaN Meeting: Reached out to the President on the sustainability of the body and he pledges on its sustainability. On the issue of the account re-activation, the body was encouraged to notify and write the bank explaining the health status of one of her signatory for any help and way out on the re-activation of their account. Suggestion was made to SuFAN to choose middle aged farmer as signatory for effectiveness. The next SuFAN meeting is set to hold at Ibadan on Thursday, 19th June, 2025. Dialogue and Partners Services (DPS):  The earlier discussion emphasized on the constraints faced on farmland centers as well as access to farmland and cattle invasion which leads to crop farmers-Herders clashes, resulting further into kidnapping etc. With reference to (The Guardian Newspaper, May 20, 2025): Bandits, herders, invasion puts 40% of regions food production at risks in silent region of terror in Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo State region.  Sequel to the above, the RuDeP officers present and the DPS agreed a workshop to hold at the next PEF at JDPM, Ilorin Diocese on July 21st – July 25th , 2025  Child birth congratulatory letter was sent to the DPS Desk representative; Julia Krojer on March 17th, 2025. She acknowledged the letter and sent her greetings to the RuDeP officers in the province. Alliance for Action on Pesticide in Nigeria (AAPN) Online Meeting: Mrs. Onaolapo Morenike reported that; “The basic focus on the issue of pesticides, the bills that had been passed by the Government and the level of work that been carried out by NAFDAC. They develop a communiqué on it.” Outgone RUDEP Staff: It was reported that Ms. Olajiire Aduragbemi has left JDPM Oyo. New members: Ms. Oluwaseun Afolabi Rebecca had joined RuDeP officers at the JDPM, Oyo. The PEF Chairman welcomed all the new Officers to the province. A.O.B The RuDeP officers from other Dioceses raised a discussion of paying PEF dues by the JDPC, Ibadan since they are not funded by Misereor again. while the decision was to be transmitted to the PEF after proper deliberation by the RuDeP officers in the Diocese. PEF Schedule JDPM Ilorin - July 21st – 25th, 2025. JDPI Ekiti - October 29th - 31st 2025. JDPM Oyo - February 25th - 27th 2026. Adjournment of the meeting Mr. Akinyemi Babatunde Peter moved motion of adjournment of the meeting till July, 2025 and it was seconded by Mr. Oyekan Sola. The closing prayer was said by Abdulkadir Aliyu at 11:34am. DIOCESAN TAKE – HOME All diocesan RuDeP officers present ascertained their take-home thus; Ilorin Diocese. Improve more on lobby and advocacy with the Governments Improve on local Innovations. Archdiocese of Ibadan. Re-visit and train farmers on IPM Oyo Diocese Enlighten farmers on local innovations Train/build capacity of new RuDeP officers in the Diocese on the IPM Osogbo Diocese Look on advises during PEF and make necessary adjustment Send the soft copy of the presentation to the RuDeP in the province.