By Tunde Akanbi, Ilorin
The Kwara State Government has officially flagged off the distribution of 14,180 economic tree seedlings to selected primary, secondary, and tertiary schools across the state.
At the flag-off ceremony in the capital, Ilorin, the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Ronke Arinde, explained that the initiative is in line with the vision of the Federal Government’s Food System Transformation Pathways, aimed at promoting school farming systems and sustainable agriculture in educational institutions across the state.
The Commissioner appreciated the Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for approving the distribution of the economic tree seedlings to schools at all levels of education, noting that the seedlings include cocoa, cashew, oil palm, and orange trees.
According to her, a total of 80 primary schools, 170 secondary schools, and five tertiary institutions have been selected to benefit from the initiative.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Abolore Alabi, reiterated the state government’s commitment to boosting food production, particularly through school farming and home gardens.
He urged all beneficiaries to adhere strictly to the planting and care guidelines provided to ensure the successful growth of the seedlings and achieve optimal results.
Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, commended the Food System Transformation Pathways Committee for its tireless efforts in promoting school-based agriculture and home gardening across the state.
Dr. Olohungbebe charged all Executive Chairmen of the 16 Local Government Areas of the state to actively monitor and ensure compliance with the directives of the government to boost food production.
The Chairman of the Kwara State Technical Committee on Food Transformation Pathways, Alhaji Kayode Alimi, who also serves as the State Director of Planning, commended the state government and its development partners for initiating the laudable project, saying it will significantly contribute to food security and economic development.
The State Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, Shamsudeen Aregbe, reaffirmed the project’s commitment to supporting the overall agricultural and environmental development of Kwara State.
The event was attended by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Saadatu Modibo Kawu, represented by the Director of Personnel, Finance and Supply, Hajia Rashidat Salman; Heads of Schools; representatives of the Teaching Service Commission; and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), among others.