AbdulRazaq Vows to Make Kwara Food Basket of Nigeria

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has reiterated his administration focus to make the state the food basket of Nigeria, and also create jobs for women and youths through large-scale farming.

AbdulRazaq, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the initiative and his ‘untiring efforts’ to revive the country’s glory in the agriculture sector, adding that the project aligns with his government’s vision to support mechanised farming and address hunger in the country.

The governor stated these in Ilorin at the weekend when he received the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne, who was in the state for inspection of one of the sites for the integrated farm estate, a federal government agricultural project, in Agbeyangi, Ilorin East Local Government Area of the state.

Represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Saba Issa Gideon, the governor called on the Agbeyangi community and other communities benefiting from the project to see it as an opportunity to change their economic status for better and learn modern farming techniques.

According to him, “This farm estate will go a long way to boost food production and engage more youths and women productively.

“It will also serve as a training centre for the locals to enhance their skills in farming. Some people might have been in doubt as to whether the project will come to fruition; here is the reality on ground.

“We commend the federal government through NALDA and the participating community for providing the land.

“As the federal government brings this initiative, the state government is ready to provide full support to make the programme succeed. I implore you (the community) to claim ownership and ensure that everything goes on well.”

On his own, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, Ikonne, said the visit was for inspection of the proposed farm site provided by the state government to fulfil the agricultural plan of the fedral government.

He revealed that the 100-hectare farm size would cover the production of yam, maize and cassava as well as animal husbandry, saying no less than 2,000 people of Agbeyangi and environs will be engaged in crop production and processing.

He said: “I am encouraging every community and state government like Kwara State to key in, because we are here with the state government’s involvement.

“Any government that does not show interest, no matter how willing the community is to give the land, it will be difficult for the federal government to come in.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Non-governmental Affairs, Toyosi Thomas, on her part, said the state government facilitated the land donated by the community, and gave necessary support to NALDA to achieve the set objective.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the community, Alhaji Muhammad Abdulkadir, expressed their satisfaction at the prompt takeoff of the farm estate, saying it confirms the genuine commitment of the federal and state governments, pledging the community’s cooperation throughout the programme.

Abdulkadir, therefore, disclosed that 70 per cent of the land was donated by Agbeyangi while Eleyode, a sister community, gave out 30 per cent.