Kwara State Government has successfully trained and empowered over 300 youths and women in agriculture, focusing on smart farming practices.
The initiative aims to enhance participants’ technical skills across various agricultural value chains and provide financial literacy to kickstart agricultural businesses with minimal capital.
Themed “Ọ̀nà àbáyọ Lórí bí a ṣé jere nìdí ise àgbẹ̀ pẹ̀lú owó pé rẹ te” (Solutions on how to make a profit with little capital in farming business), the program was organized by the Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with Methu Agricbusiness Refinery. The event took place at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Ilorin.
Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, addressed the participants, emphasizing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s commitment to prioritizing the well-being and success of subsistence farmers. She highlighted the program’s goal of sharing innovative techniques and providing farmers with essential knowledge for success in the agricultural business. Additionally, it served as an opportunity to educate participants on the benefits of backyard farming.
The commissioner stressed the administration’s dedication to supporting farmers and improving the livelihoods of grassroots communities. She urged beneficiaries not to sell the distributed empowerment items, encouraging continued government support for food security objectives in the state.
Mr. Festus Omotola, Chairman of Methu Agricbusiness Refinery, expressed his passion for assisting farmers and commended the state government for providing a platform to contribute to the agricultural sector’s development. He encouraged beneficiaries to judiciously use the knowledge and items provided.
Two participants, Mr. Kolapo Ayinla and Mrs. Bilikis Bolanle Lukman, expressed gratitude to the program organizers and pledged to apply the knowledge and use the distributed items effectively in their farming activities.
Empowerment items distributed included juvenile fish with tarpaulin ponds, rabbits with rabbit cages, yam and cocoa seedlings, and sweet potato vines, among others.
