Kwara Government Completes Training for 700 Farmers, Extension Agents to Boost Food Security
The Kwara State Government, in partnership with the World Bank and the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, has successfully completed a weeklong training program for 700 extension agents and farmers as part of efforts to enhance food security in the state. The training, focused on small ruminant production and crop residue processing for improved ruminant utilization, was held at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) in Ilorin. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by his Senior Adviser Alhaji Saadudeen Salahudeen, expressed confidence that the trained individuals would make significant contributions to the agricultural sector and positively impact the lives of Kwarans.
The participants, who came from diverse backgrounds including livestock and crop farmers, retired civil servants, and rural youths, were expected to bring about a transformative change in the state’s agro-economy. Salahudeen highlighted that the state government’s commitment to food security would be supported by the knowledge and skills the participants gained during the training. He emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship over traditional white-collar jobs in addressing the nation’s high unemployment rate, encouraging participants to leverage the market opportunities in agriculture.
Salahudeen also noted the government’s ongoing efforts to improve food security, particularly through investments in the livestock sector. The state has provided inputs to over 600,000 smallholder farmers and delivered tractors to each of the 16 local government areas, addressing a previous gap in mechanized farming. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to revitalize agriculture in the state and enhance its contribution to the economy.
Other notable speakers at the event included the newly appointed Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Alhaji Abdullateef Alakawa, who commended the governor for prioritizing agriculture. He emphasized that agriculture and agribusiness are the future of Nigeria, with knowledge and innovation driving the sector’s growth. The training program was widely praised by various stakeholders, including Dr. Ghali Alaaya, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Jiddah, Alhaji Dan Maigoro, and Alhaji Bashir Adigun, who all lauded the state’s efforts in selecting participants and advancing its food security goals.
