The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Production Services, and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting farmers as part of the federal government’s efforts to boost food production and ensure food security.
Senator Salihu Mustapha made the statement while flagging off the distribution of 3,500 bags of fertilizer free to farmers across the four local government areas of Kwara Central Senatorial District in Kwara State.
He explained that the gesture marked the first phase of a broader strategy to strengthen farmers’ capacity in the area for sustainable agricultural practices in the senatorial district and the state as a whole.
The lawmaker stressed that beneficiaries were drawn from various organizations such as the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and others members of the individuals who are into farming activities.
Declaring the distribution ceremony open at the playing ground of Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority in Ilorin, Senator Mustapha, confirmed plans to expand the exercise for more farmers to benefit from the scheme in the nearest future.
He noted that the distribution of such a significant quantity of fertilizer demonstrates a substantial investment in the agricultural sector, reflecting a commitment to enhancing food security and supporting the livelihood of farmers to boost food production in the state.
The Senator said the scheme tagged: “Empowering Kwara Central Farmers: Unlocking self- sufficiency in food production,” aimed at supporting agricultural productivity and improve crop yields for local farmers.
“It is important to emphasise that I personally purchased the 3,500 bags of fertilizer distributed today to empower our farmers and improve their yield,” he said.
Senator Mustapha, emphasized that the impact of climate change and over cultivation of farm land has negatively affected the quality of the soil for farming. This has resulted in lower yield of crop produce.
The Kwara lawmaker used the opportunity to reel out his achievements in office in the last one year as a legislator to include facilitating the reconstruction of one kilometer asphaltic road opposite Al-Hikmah University leading to Oke-Foma link road in Ilorin West local government area.
He added that solar-powered motorised boreholes and street lights were also installed across the four local government areas of the senatorial district to complement the state government’s effort in ensuring that the people have access to safe water.
REL/TSIBIRI
