By Ahmed Rahma
The sum of N2 billion is to be invested in food production in Kwara State through a programme to be anchored by a department at the Kwara State University.
The fund is to be contributed by the state government and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), a platform of the African Union (AU) aimed to advance economic growth on the continent.
Speaking at the launch of a 10-year Agricultural Transformation Plan last Friday in Ilorin, the Governor of Kwara State, Mr AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, disclosed that this initiative would make the north-central state of the federation an agricultural hub of Nigeria.
“This [programme] will be anchored by a department at Kwara State University, Malete which will be at Ilesha Baruba.
“This administration will conclude the construction of that campus. The campus has extensive land which I have visited.
“So, NEPAD is investing in Kwara. I am also the chairman of the programme’s steering committee. It will make Kwara agriculture programme a huge success,” Mr AbdulRazaq said.
The Governor disclosed that the agricultural transformation plan, which was designed to ensure food security, generate employment opportunities, and reduce poverty rate, was hinged on six pillars of crop production, finance, livestock, access to market, value chain, and cross-cutting programmes.
According to him, the scheme comes with measurable milestones to ensure faithful implementations by all the stakeholders involved.
“It is a 10-year plan which is based on verifiable data gathered from field research and extensive consultations with various stakeholders and experts in the sector.
“The plan spells out the opportunities and challenges in the agricultural sector in the state, and identifies six pillars that are critical to the success of the plan,” his words at the launch attended by several stakeholders in agriculture virtually.
“These pillars are crop production, finance, livestock, access to market, value chain, and cross-cutting programmes.
“The document explains each of these pillars and the milestones to be reached in the course of its implementation,” he said.
Also, the Governor disclosed that his administration was working to strike a deal with the Lagos State government on food production, similar to an agreement between the Lagos State government and Kebbi State government, which gave birth to Lake Rice.
