Kwara govt flags off distribution of 100 motorcycles, 5000 enzymes to extension agents, farmers to boost food production
The Kwara State Government on Friday said it has launched the distribution of 100 motorcycles and 5000 enzymes for agric extension agents and livestock farmers as part of its efforts to scale up food production and enhance access to nutritious food in the State
The government also presented one Toyota Hilux to the Department of Livestock Services in the State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to aid the mobility of its field officers.
According to Yusuf Ganiyu Adebisi, Project Communication and ICT Officer, Kwara L-PRES, the programme attended by senior government officials and community leaders was organised by the Ministry under the Livestock Productivity and Resilient Support Project (L-PRES) implementation.
At the flag-off ceremony in Ilorin, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the distribution of motorcycles and enzymes underscored his administration’s commitment to food and nutrition security.
He said the initiative aligns with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition and reshape the present and future of the agricultural sector.
“To stamp out farmers-herders conflicts, we have also constructed various boreholes and rehabilitated some non-functional ones with water troughs along the livestock routes and other strategic places across the State,” the Governor said.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Mamman Saba Jibril, Governor AbdulRazaq listed other interventions of the government for livestock farmers, including the training of 700 extension agents and farmers on “small ruminants production and feed processing” for improved utilisation.
“In our efforts to ensure that livestock farmers have access to quality and timely treatment of their animals, the Ministry of Agriculture has recently commenced the statewide mass anthrax vaccination exercises across the 16 local governments of the State,” he said.
The Governor commended the World Bank, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Islamic Development Bank, and African Development Bank, among other partners, for supporting the government on the L-PRES Project.
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The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, said the roles of extension agents in providing support for farmers and improving food security could be overemphasised. He appreciated the governor for his huge investment in the agricultural sector.
The State Project Coordinator for L-PRES, Mr Olusoji Oyawoye, said the gesture would not only enhance the capacity of the beneficiaries to reach more farmers across remote areas but also improve the speed and efficiency with which they deliver the services.
“This intervention is part of a broader strategy to empower livestock extension workers, build their capacity, and equip them with the tools they need to engage with farmers effectively, support the adoption of best practices, and enhance overall productivity,” he said.
