9th May, 2025
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has flagged off a new round of agricultural input and machinery distribution to farmers across the 16 local government areas, marking the state’s latest push to scale up food production and improve rural livelihoods.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor at the launch in Ilorin, Senior Adviser and Counsellor Alhaji Sa’adu Salau described the initiative as part of a deliberate strategy to empower farmers and create jobs through sustained agricultural investment.
“Our administration has consistently prioritised agriculture, not just as a sector, but as a tool to empower our people, strengthen rural livelihoods, and create sustainable jobs,” the Governor said.
He noted that the current phase is only the beginning of this year’s intervention, with more support packages to be delivered in batches.
Items distributed included 16 tractors with matching implements, 32,000kg of maize seeds, 18,000kg of Faro 44 rice seeds, 10,800kg of soya bean seeds, thousands of bags of fertilisers and herbicides, and 2,400 knapsack sprayers. The comprehensive support package is designed to cover key crop types and enhance chemical application efficiency on farms.
Governor AbdulRazaq highlighted additional steps his administration has taken, such as rehabilitating rural roads and expanding access to mechanisation and irrigation, saying, “These inputs are not handouts — they are investments in your productivity, your future, and the prosperity of our state.”
Farmers at the event affirmed that similar government support has been consistent in recent years, aiding their operations and boosting food yields.
Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, explained that the programme falls under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, in partnership with the World Bank. She said food security remains a central target of the intervention.
Her counterpart in Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Afeez Abolore, and Water Resources Commissioner, Hon. Yunus Usman Lade, both commended the Governor for backing his policies with meaningful action.
State Project Coordinator for ACReSAL, Alhaji Shamsideen Aregbe, added that the December 2024 distribution of 193 motorcycles to extension workers was part of broader efforts to support field operations and farmer outreach.
Chairman of the Kwara State Farmers’ Support and Welfare Association, Abdullahi Ahmed, speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, praised Governor AbdulRazaq for his consistent support, saying it has helped many farmers transition from subsistence to more productive practices.
