Kwara State has flagged off another round of agricultural support for farmers across its 16 local governments as part of efforts to strengthen food security, reduce poverty, and promote inclusive economic growth.
The initiative, launched Thursday in Ilorin, was described by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a practical step in his administration’s continued prioritization of agriculture as a tool for community empowerment and sustainable development. Speaking through his Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau, the Governor said the program represents a deeper commitment to strengthening rural livelihoods through mechanization and improved access to essential inputs.
He noted that more phases of the intervention would follow, reaching more communities across the state. “These inputs are not handouts — they are investments in your productivity, your future, and the prosperity of our state,” the Governor stated.
The Thursday distribution saw a wide range of farm machinery and inputs handed to beneficiaries, including 16 tractors with matching ploughs, harrows, and ridgers; 1,600 bags of maize seeds, 360 bags of Faro 44 rice seeds, and 270 bags of TGX 1951 soya bean seeds. Also included were 720 sachets of inoculants to aid nitrogen fixation, over 10,000 bags of various fertilizers, herbicides, and litres of crop-specific agrochemicals. The government also provided 2,400 knapsack sprayers to ensure efficient chemical application.
The initiative is part of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) program, a collaboration between the Kwara State Government and the World Bank aimed at
building resilience in agriculture. Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, said the program aligns with a broader push for climate-smart farming and food sufficiency in the state.
Complementing the agricultural support are government-led efforts to improve rural infrastructure, expand access to mechanization and irrigation, and strengthen farmer cooperatives. The Governor highlighted the rehabilitation of rural roads and prior investments in irrigation and extension services as signs of steady progress in transforming Kwara’s agricultural landscape.
In December 2024, the state distributed 193 motorcycles to agricultural extension agents to enhance outreach and productivity among local farmers.
Representing the beneficiaries, Abdullahi Ahmed, Chairman of the Kwara State Farmers’ Support and Welfare Association, expressed appreciation for the state’s consistent backing of the farming community. He said the initiative had significantly boosted local farmers’ morale and positioned Kwara for improved food sufficiency.
Commissioners for Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr. Afeez Abolore and Hon. Yunus Usman Lade, also commended the Governor for his focused leadership in the agricultural sector, noting that the programme was a reflection of political will and strategic investment.
