By Dare Akogun
The Kwara State Government has once again reiterated its commitment to the development of agricultural sector to enhance food security in the State.
The Press Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Yusuf Ganiyu Adebisi, in a statement said the Commissioner Mallam AbdulLateef Alakawa made the commitment during a stakeholders meeting with the Kwara State Branch of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Ilorin.
Mallam Alakawa assured farmers in the state of the present administration’s unwavering support through its various intervention programmes in the realization of government objectives in agricultural sector.
The Commissioner hinted that the State Government is working towards a sustainable all-year-round farming to achieve food security in the State.
According to him, “irrigation facilities have been procured to facilitate the smooth take off of the all-year-round farming system across the 16 Local Government Areas of the State, adding that about 60 farm locations were earmarked for the State dry season farming programme”, Alakawa said.
He applauded the Association’s complimentary role at ensuring food security in the country, and appealed for continuous support towards elevating the standard of living of subsistence farmers in the State.
Earlier, the leader of the team, Dr. Adamu Ahmed Saba had disclosed that the purpose of their visit was to felicitate with the Commissioner and intimate him of the Association’s activities, achievements and possible areas of collaboration.
Dr. Saba, who is also the State Coordinator of the Association on special projects, informed the Commissioner that Kwara State has been recognized as one of the major rice producers in the country due to the conducive and enabling environment for agricultural activities in the State.
He commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration for its various interventions targeting the grassroot farmers, with reference to the 2021 Inputs Subsidy Scheme and appealed for its sustainability.
