The Kwara Government has urged farmers in the state to be up and doing as it takes the necessary measures to make agriculture the mainstay of the state’s economy.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Olabode Olayemi, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ilorin.
Olayemi said that the ministry had embarked on a verification visit to farmers who registered to participate in the “Off-Takers Demand-Driven Agricultural Programme’’ of the state government.
He reiterated the government’s decision to focus on agriculture and to assist farmers in improving their yields and urged those who had indicated interest in the scheme to be more dedicated to their farm work.
He said that government was at the next stage of transferring the successes recorded in commercial agriculture to local farmers in order to boost production.
He said that the government was working hard to attract more foreign investors to set up agro-allied industries to utilise products from local farmers.
Olayemi noted that one of the major problems confronting farmers in the state was how to access markets, adding that the `programme would address the problem.
He said that Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed was committed to the well-being of farmers.
The commissioner said he had visited farms in Irepodun, Ifelodun and Kaiama local government areas of the state and described the efforts of farmers in Kaiama as very encouraging.
The commissioner stressed the need for the Federal Government to partner with the state. (NAN)Kwara promises support to NPC
Meanwhile the Government has pledged to assist the National Population Commission (NPC) to achieve the set goals of the commission.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Sola Gold, gave the assurance on Friday while receiving the management of the National Population Commission in the state, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kene, on a courtesy visit.
Gold, who described population as veritable tool for national development, stressed that no nation could succeed in planning without adequate population data.
He described the commission’s chairman in the state as a respected citizen of Kwara and `go-getter’, urging him to put his experience to bear in his new assignment.
Kene thanked the State Government for nominating him for the appointment, describing population as important not only for the state but the nation at large.
He called on the State Government to join hands with the commission to achieve set goals.
Kene called on the State Government to assist the commission in sensitising the public on its activities toward the upcoming census exercise. (NAN)