By 
The Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Ilorin has expressed its readiness to partner with the Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on food security in the state.
The ministry is seeking support and collaboration from the authority through the provision of 20 hectares of land to achieve its goal of becoming one of the highest producers of cassava stem in Nigeria among other interventions.
The synergy was arrived during the courtesy visit of the Kwara State Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas to the Authority.
The state’s commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development ,Mrs. Toyosi Thomas made the requests during a courtesy call with the managing director of the (LNRBDA) Dr. Adeniyi Saheed Aremu.
Receiving the commissioner, Aremu stated that the country’s economic situation demands urgent attention in ensuring that the youth are fully engaged in agriculture through the Federal Government’s Graduate Youth Empowerment Scheme (GYES) where several youths have been trained and empowered in Kwara State.
He also stated various interventions such as the construction of Dams in Omu-Aran, Okuta, Yashikira, and Malete as well as the clearing of adjoining land for Agricultural development across the state.
Authority’s Management in a chat with the team of the state ministry of Agriculture.
Aremu noted that going into Agriculture requires a lot of valuable information and the Authority has been taking a leading role in facilitating new technology in farming to our youth.
The commissioner in her speech appreciated the efforts of the authority in the enhancement of commercial and standardized agriculture through rain-fed or irrigated farming and the provision of potable water to people across the state. Mrs.
She emphasized the need to have exchange of ideas between the authority and the ministry which she believed would give room to innovation in agriculture.
“This will result in increased quantity and quality agricultural outputs to cater to the needs of Kwarans”, she said.
The commissioner thereafter solicited for the cooperation of the Authority on food production to address the food security in the country.
While responding to the requests of the commissioner, Dr. Aremu promised to ensure the provision of irrigable land in order to enhance all-year-round farming.
He added that he would continue to support the state by deploring the best hands in extension services so that the desired goals of the Ministry in cassava stem planting would not be in jeopardy.
Comments