Kwara speaker tasks Nigerians to embrace farming

Ali Ahmad, speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly has said that for the country to attain food security and be self-sufficient in food production, Nigerians at all levels must embrace farming.

The speaker disclosed this to journalists during the law makers’ visit to Dodo Integrated Farms in Ejidongari in Moro Local Government of the state.

Ahmad described farming as the only way out of the country’s high unemployment rate and the avenue for states and local governments to create wealth to address infrastructural decay and prompt payment of salaries, stressing that every state has the potential for a particular crop production.

He also stated that agriculture has the potential to empower youth and reduce over dependence of states on federal allocation for survival.

According to him, Kwara legislators would soon embark on cultivation of maize and beans, adding that the legislators decided to visit the farm on legislative day to create awareness on why Nigerians should take advantage of Dodo integrated farm initiative while pointing out that no local government council in the state should have any excuse for not taking advantage of the program to address payment of salaries.

In their remarks, Goke Bamidele, Kwara state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Anu Ibiwoye, special adviser to the governor on Agriculture , underscored the determination of the state government in using agriculture to stimulate the economy, through wealth and Job creation.

They promise that the state government would continue to give necessary support in making sure that Dodo integrated farm succeeds.

Kamaldeen Fagbemi, chairman board of trustees, Dodo Integrated Farms stated that the board was established to ensure proper monitoring of the farm and promised that the legislators would reap bumper harvests from the farm this season.

Kayode Omotoshe, senior special assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Legislative Matter, said it was disheartening that the nation was importing NA1bn worth of rice for daily consumption, when the nation according to him, has the potential to be exporter of rice and expressed delight over the farming initiative of the Law makers.

Earlier, Ishiaku Aliyu Adams, chairman of the House Committee on Water and Agricultural Resources, stated that 750 hectares of land were acquired for the law makers in the state to embark on maize production. He praised the speaker for the political will demonstrated on the farming initiative.

 

SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin