Kwara state government partners NALDA on farming programme

The Kwara State Government says it has entered into partnership with the National Agriculture Land Development Authority (NALDA) to improve food production in the state.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, disclosed this during her field inspection of the proposed site for the programme.The site is at Malete, in the Moro Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

Thomas, while speaking, said the partnership was part of efforts by the present administration in the state at ensuring food security.

“Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is much concerned about the plight of people in the state, most especially the farmers. He has instructed the Ministry to facilitate dry season farming across the 16 LGAs, as a way of increasing the availability and affordability of food items.This is with a view to curb the current hardship in the country,” she said.

The Commissioner also said the state government was reinvigorating the Malete Integrated Youth Farm Training Centre, through a cluster farming system.

She added that this would be by selecting for it youths from different parts of the state.
“This will serve as a pilot scheme, which will be replicated among willing communities in the state,” Thomas said.

“The cluster farming model is aligned with the Cadre Harmonise Food and Nutrition Security analysis recommendations and the Federal Government’s drive for an all-year-round farming programme,” she added.

The Commissioner added that the programme, when properly managed, has the potential to improve the farmers’ income.

“It will also generate employment opportunities for value chain operators, as well as enhance the well-being of the indigenous farmers,” she said.

In his remarks, the NALDA representative, Mr. Segun Owolabi, said the Federal Government has provided all the necessary facilities for the smooth take-off of the programme in the state.

NAN / Foluke Ibitomi