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The Kwara Agriculture Network (KAN) has reinstated its commitment to boosting food security and safety through youth involvement, women empowerment, and poverty alleviation on the occasion of World Food Day 2021 (WFD’21).
In a statement by its Executive Chairman; Mr. Al-Mustapha Ibrahim, during a press briefing in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital; “the World food day is an opportunity to reflect on the prospects and challenges in the agricultural sector while fostering dialogues aimed at transforming food systems across the entire agricultural value chain. To this end, KAN commits and dedicates itself to ensure access to a healthy diet for all.”
Al-Mustapha further noted that; “the world food day is celebrated in over 150 countries to increase the awareness and knowledge on the best means to solve the global hunger crisis. Our Network is glad to be the pioneer host of such a global event in Kwara state.
This year’s commemoration of World Food Day has the theme “Our Actions are Our Future- Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life”.
“KAN is proud to have solely hosted and promoted the first and second editions of the Kwara Food summit in commemoration of the World Food Day. We are equally proud to have empowered over 500 small-medium scale farmers and agripreneurs across several agricultural value chains in the state. Over the past two years, we have acquired several hectares of land across several locations to increase youth participation in agriculture, supported farmers with on-hand training through field demonstrations and research works, conducted a state-wide farmers town hall meeting to access the state of food security in the state while facilitating several webinars on food security tagged Zero Hunger webinar series among several other achievements. We have also inducted over 160 fellows into the International Agribusiness Development Fellowship Program (IADFP) which is fully funded by our Network featuring participants from 8 countries”.
“In our commitment to promoting the sustainable development Goals (SDG 2), we are glad to have partnered with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) for the Value Chain Specialization Program; a project phase of the Zero Hunger Kwara Project. This program, when launched in 2022, will train over 3000 youths across six agricultural value chains over the next two years”
Similarly, we are glad to have participated in the Nigerian Drone Business Context, sponsored by the Global Air Drone Academy with the support of the U.S Consulate-General where our organization emerged as one of the top ten firms in the use of technology -specifically the UAVs-in the agricultural space. This has birthed our zeal to initiate the “youth drone hub” focusing on aerial surveillance of farming premises and improved mechanization.
Added that “the hub will begin to train youths and young agripreneurs on the use of the unarmed aerial vehicles and certify trainees –in collaboration with relevant agencies- as drone pilots”.
KAN, however appreciates the immense support received from her partners over the last two years. “Specifically, we will like to appreciate the support of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara state, Mallan AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for gracing our event on both occasions. Furthermore, our gratitude goes to the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin; Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, Kwara State’s Deputy Accountant General; Dr. Kayode Waheed, Executive Secretary, Kwara PHCDA; Dr. (Mrs) Nusirat Elelu, HRH, the Olupako of Share, Oba Haroon Olawale Sulayman, the CEO, Heart and Capital Nigeria Limited; Mr. Umar Oba Adelodun, the CEO, D-positive Global Enterprise; Mr. Nasir Abdulqadir as well as the Honourable Commissioner of Youth and Sports; Hon. Harriet Oshatimehin. Furthermore, we appreciate the Honourable Commissioner of Agriculture, Hon. Yisa Gideon as well as the duo of Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (SA on SDGs), and Hon. Abdulqawiy Olododo (TA on Agriculture)”.
Meanwhile, the 2021 World food Day celebration featured high-level dialogues involving national and international agribusiness experts, Zero Hunger Rally, community sensitization, and public enlightenment campaigns in several formal and informal institutions. A total of 12 organizations from the public and private sectors, government ministries, and farmers participated in the series of events.
He also urged the Kwara State Government as well as other corporate organizations to maintain and improve the standard the organization has set as pioneer host and convener of the maiden and second editions of the world food day celebration in Kwara state. They also called on stakeholders and partners to support various projects of the organization as they drive towards promoting sustainable development through agriculture.
While calling for increased youth participation in Agriculture, the Secretary-General of the organization, Mr. Alabi Ameenullahi charged youths to tap various lucrative sectors across the entire agricultural value chain
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