The Kwara Central representative distributed 3,500 bags of 50kg fertiliser and 1,000 pumping machines to smallholder farmers across the four council areas of his constituency in the first phase of the exercise as part of a broader strategy to ensure sustainable agricultural practices.
Mustapha extended the gesture to individuals and associations like All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and All Progressives Congress (APC.) At the event tagged, “Empowering Kwara Central Farmers: Unlocking Self-Sufficiency in Food Production,” in Ilorin, the lawmaker explained that the initiative was to support agricultural productivity and improve p yields for local farmers.
He said the programme was also to empower cultivators within the senatorial districts to minimise challenges of food production and improve the quantity and quality of farm produce for the people.
Mustapha observed: “The impact of climate change and over-cultivation of farmland has negatively affected the quality of the soil for farming. This has resulted in lower yield. It is important to emphasise that I purchased the 3,500 bags of fertiliser distributed today to empower our farmers and improve their yield.”
According to him, the distribution of such a significant quantity of fertiliser 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 legislator, who is also Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory Area Council, used the opportunity to list his achievements in office, saying the reconstruction of a kilometre asphaltic road opposite Al-Hikmah University linking Oke-Foma road in Ilorin West Local Council was facilitated by him.
He added that solar-powered motorised boreholes and street lights were also installed across the four local council areas of his senatorial district to complement the state government’s effort to ensure that the people of the state have access to safe water.
“For record purposes, the solar-powered motorised boreholes were provided at Ile Onifitila, Kankatu, Okelele Road, Ilorin East LGA, Jato Community Ifesowapo, behind Taoheed Central Mosque in Ilorin South LGA, Itamerin Junction, opposite Alhaja Oil in Ilorin West LGA, Aloba Close, Oke Ikoyi, Oke Oyi in Ilorin East LGA, Agbeyangi town in Ilorin East LGA, while solar-powered street lights were installed at Computer Village Challenge Area, Ilorin, and Muslim Cemetery, Oko-Olowo, among other areas and over 30 communities across the four LGAs of Kwara Central Senatorial District,” he added.
Also speaking, the National President of Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressive Union, Abdulmumin Abdulmalik, described the exercise as timely, as farmers were currently in the farming season, adding that the lawmaker had been empowering his constituents Kwara people state before ascending office.
Chairman of Fertilisers Distribution Committee, Hammed Ayodele Adebayo noted that the uplifting of genuine farmers across the four local councils was to ensure a bumper harvest during the rainy season.
