By Demola Akinyemi Ilorin
Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq last Monday commenced distribution of agricultural inputs, productive assets and processing equipment to 49,337 local farmers and vulnerable households in the state. 186, 230 residents had earlier benefitted from the initiative which brings the total beneficiaries to 235,567.
The initiative is being carried out under FADAMA CARES 2.0 which is supported by Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES).
While performing the flag-off in Ilorin, Governor AbdulRazaq said farmers were facing some challenges and therefore needed regular support to reduce their losses and earn more.
His words: “Our farmers are facing some challenges which include costly inputs, unpredictable weather, limited equipment and the difficulties of moving and processing their produce. Our duty is to remove these barriers and obstacles so that they will not labor in vain.
“This programme has reached 186,230 beneficiaries. Of this, 54,332 received inputs and services while 131,898 received productive and processing assets across 10 value chains. These beneficiaries are farmers, processors, and families earning better livelihood. This latest programme will support 49,337 beneficiaries. It provides rice, maize, soybeans inputs. It also provides equipment ranging from sprayers, water pumps, and power tillers to rice mills.
“We also have cassava processors, fish smoking plants, and commercial boats. This programme will reach a total of 235,556 beneficiaries. Our goal is to help farmers produce more, lose less, process better, reach wider markets and earn more with opportunities for women and young people.”
He congratulated the beneficiaries and enjoined them to see the inputs and assets as investment opportunities and not as handouts. The governor also acknowledged the active roles played by different stakeholders to make the programme a huge success.
Commissioner for Livestock who is supervising the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon Olohuntoyosi Thomas, in her address at the event said the government has deployed 48 tractors and two D&R caterpillar bulldozers to drive farming activities and expand agricultural mechanization across the 16 local governments.
Thomas said 2,016 state farmers were provided with 8,064 bags of NPK fertilizer through the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme. She appreciated all key stakeholders whose contributions have developed the sector, including development partners, public-private investors, farmers’ associations, and traditional institutions.
Similarly, Commissioner for Finance and Chairman State NG-CARES Steering Committee, Dr Hauwa Nuru, said Kwara was one of the leading states in delivery and reimbursement, adding that the initiative reflects the commitment of the administration in empowering farmers, improving their livelihoods, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable economic growth. State Project Coordinator, FADAMA NG-CARES, Dr Busari Toyin Isiaka, in his remark explained that FADAMA CARES 2.0 is the agricultural component of NG-CARES, supported by the World Bank through additional financing, adding that its purpose was to improve agricultural production, reduce losses, enhance food security and strengthen beneficiaries’ incomes.
Busari listed items for distribution as rice, maize and soybean inputs, adding that relevant production inputs such as knapsack sprayers, water pumps, power tillers, grinding machines, rice mills, cassava processing equipment, fish smoking kilns and commercial boats would also be distributed.
State Chairman for the Federated FADAMA Community Association (FFCA), Alhaji Isiaka Yakub Falala, appreciated Governor AbdulRazaq for the administration’s commitment in turning around the agricultural sector and his support for farmers in the state.
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