Cassava farmers in Kwara ready to expand output

In its bid to ensure food sufficiency, the cassava growers Association in Kwara has reaffirmed its determination to produce cassava needs of residents of Kwara and beyond.

Olusegun Owolabi, the Chief consultant of the Association in Kwara, gave this assurance while addressing over 250 cassava growers at maiden workshop on growing of cassava in Ilorin, on Friday.

The workshop which was attended by over 250 cassava growers across the three senatorial district of the state was aimed at sensitizing farmers on the benefits of growing of cassava.

According to Owolabi, the Association’s intention to acquire 5,000 hectares of land for only cassava farming will make it achievable, just as he said the proposed cassava growing programme in the state will be a mechanized one aimed at shifting emphasis of Nigerians from oil to Agriculture.

He appealed to the state Government to expedite action on allocation of land to members to boost cassava growing business in the state.

Addressing the state cassava farmers, Sunday Obaro, a cooperative consultant advised farmers not to divert the loan for cassava farming to other ventures that will not assist the realization of bumper cassava farming.

He assured the farmers that there will be adequate security for any fund meant for the farming business and security for their farms.

Some of the participants at the workshop who spoke with journalists expressed their readiness to produce cassava needs of Kwara and beyond.

SIKIRAT SHEHU