By Sikirat Shehu, Ilorin
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State has reiterated his administration’s focus on making Kwara a food basket of the nation and creating jobs for women and youths through large-scale farming.
The Governor spoke in Ilorin, the state capital when he received the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne,
who recently conducted inspection of one of the sites for the state’s Integrated farm estate – a federal government’s agricultural project, in Agbeyangi, Ilorin East local government of the state.
Abdulrazaq, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the initiative and his untiring efforts to revive the country’s glory in the agricultural sector, adding that the project aligns with his government’s vision to support mechanised farming and address hunger.
The Governor, represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Saba Issa Gideon, 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.
“This farm estate will go a long way in boosting food production and engage more youth and women productively. It will also serve as a training centre for the locals to enhance their skills on 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 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 we’ll,” he said.
Prince Paul Ikonne, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, said the visit was for inspection of the proposed farm site provided by the state government to fulfil the agricultural plan of the central government.
He revealed that the 100-hectare farm size will cover the production of yam, maize and cassava as well as animal husbandry, saying no less than 2000 people of Agbeyangi and environs will be engaged in crop production and processing.
He said: “We are here to inspect and officially accept 100 hectares of land the community donated for the NALDA Farm estate, which Mr. President mandated us to develop in all the senatorial districts in the country to achieve food security and create job opportunities for Nigerians; and as you can see, the contractor has done a very good job in terms of land clearing. And you can also see that the community is willing and waiting to benefit.
“Their warm reception has afforded us the opportunity to educate them that the project belongs to them, and it will be made for three major crops. We will be cultivating yam, maize and cassava, and at the section of animal husbandry, we are looking at producing grass cutters in a very large quantity; rabbit rearing and their processing, and goat. We are looking forward to commissioning it within the next six months.”
