News in Brief:
– Kwara state received 3,600 hectares of land from the AfDB to boost production of maize, rice, and cassava under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme.
– The project aims to improve food security and support small-scale farmers through better access to inputs and by selecting real farmers for the program.
Nigeria’s Kwara state has been allocated 3,600 hectares of land by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The land was allocated for agricultural development under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme (NAGS) to boost production of maize, rice, and cassava in the state.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced the allocation during a meeting with stakeholders and the state working committee on food security in Ilorin, the state capital. The committee is tasked with developing strategies to improve food production, strengthen farmer capacity, and bolster the agricultural sector overall.
Meantime, the NAGS program, according to the Kwara State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, is designed to enhance the resilience of small-scale farmers by increasing their access to agricultural inputs and promoting food and nutrition security.
Additionally, one key aspect of the program involves the selection of real farmers who will benefit from the initiative. To this end, the committee will ensure proper sensitisation of these farmers and monitor the project’s execution in accordance with AfDB guidelines.
Expectedly, the initiative has received positive feedback from traditional rulers in the state, who play a significant role in agriculture. Their support is expected to be crucial in ensuring the program’s success and reducing youth unemployment.
