THE Federal Government has named Kwara as the most agriculturally developed state in the federation in view of the robust agricultural transformation recorded in the state.
The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Dr Akinwumi Adesina, represented by Mr. James Awoniyi stated this in Shonga in Edu local Government Area of the state during the Roll-Out of the Federal Government Agricultural Transformation Agenda on cassava value chain in the state.
The Minister said the Agriculture Transformation programmes of the present administration in the state have favorably placed the state at a vantage point in the country and across the globe.
He disclosed further that under the growth enhancement support programme, cassava farmers in the state would be given 15 bundles of high yielding cassava varieties free of charge to improve farmer’s productive capacity and transform their economic fortunes.
Adesina, however urged farmers in the state to optimally utilise the opportunities in order to galvanise the agric sector for better results.
In his address the state Governor Alhaji AbdulFatai Ahmed, represented by his deputy, Elder Peter Kisira commended the Federal Government for the various initiative aimed at revitalising agriculture and for recognising the state’s contribution to agricultural transformation.
Gov. Ahmed assured of his administration commitment to, not only drive agriculture transformation in the country but to expand the vast agricultural potential that abound in the state.
He therefore, called on farmers to take active part in the programme in order to benefit maximally from the expected prosperity to be heralded by the government.
State commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resourses, Mr. Bode Olayemi assured of the state commitment to the successful implementation of the federal Government initiatives in the state.
Olayemi also disclosed that necessary input such as cassava cuttings; fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides as well as other support facilities for successful farming exercise would be available at 50 per cent discount.
High point of the event was the distribution of the high-yielding cassava stem to cassava growers’ association representatives from the 16 local government areas of the state by the representative of the Minister and the state commissioner for Agriculture.
There was also the symbolic planting of the cassava stem by the state Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisira and the State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Alhaji Gana Isah, which was followed by the distribution of cassava based UTC Breads, Biscuits, cakes and sausage snacks to the participants.
