We’ll create jobs for women, youths through large-scale farming: Kwara Gov
The governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has reiterated his administration’s focus to create jobs for women and youths through large-scale farming.
The governor stated these in Ilorin at the weekend when he received the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne, who was in the state for inspection of one of the sites for the integrated farm estate, a federal government agricultural project, in Agbeyangi, Ilorin East Local Government Area of the state.
AbdulRazaq, who commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the initiative and his ‘untiring efforts’ to revive the country’s glory in the agriculture sector, added that the project aligns with his government’s vision to support mechanised farming and address hunger in the country.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Saba Issa Gideon, the governor called on the Agbeyangi community and other communities benefiting from the project to see it as an opportunity to change their economic status for better and learn modern farming techniques.
According to him, “This farm estate will go a long way to boost food production and engage more youths and women productively.
“It will also serve as a training centre for the locals to enhance their skills in farming. Some people might have been in doubt as to whether the project will come to fruition; here is the reality on ground.
“We commend the federal government through NALDA and the participating community for providing the land.
“As the federal government brings this initiative, the state government is ready to provide full support to make the programme succeed. I implore you (the community) to claim ownership and ensure that everything goes on well.”
For his part, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, Ikonne, said the visit was for inspection of the proposed farm site provided by the state government to fulfill the agricultural plan of the federal government.
He revealed that the 100-hectare farm size would cover the production of yam, maize and cassava as well as animal husbandry, saying no less than 2,000 people of Agbeyangi and environs will be engaged in crop production and processing.
He said, “I am encouraging every community and state government like Kwara State to key in, because we are here with the state government’s involvement.
“Any government that does not show interest, no matter how willing the community is to give the land, it will be difficult for the federal government to come in.”
