The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Production Services, and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, flagged off the distribution of farm tools worth over N200 million to farmers in Kwara State over the weekend.
The representative of Kwara Central shared 3,500 bags of 50kg fertiliser and 1,000 pumping machines among smallholder farmers across the four local government 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 the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the event titled “Empowering Kwara Central Farmers: Unlocking Self-Sufficiency in Food Production,” held at the playing ground of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Ilorin, the lawmaker explained that the initiative was to support agricultural productivity and improve crop yields for local farmers.
The Senator said that the programme aimed to empower farmers within Kwara Central Senatorial District to minimise the challenges faced with food production and improve the quantity and quality of farm produce for the people in the district.
“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 crop yields. It is important to emphasise that I personally purchased the 3,500 bags of fertiliser distributed today to empower our farmers and improve their yield,” he said.
According to him, the distribution of such a significant quantity of fertiliser demonstrated 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 Senator, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory Area Council, used the opportunity to outline his achievements in office, saying that the reconstruction of a one-kilometre asphaltic road opposite Al-Hikmah University linking Oke-Foma Road in Ilorin West Local Government Area was facilitated by him.
He added that solar-powered motorised boreholes and street lights were also installed across the four local governments of his senatorial district to complement the state government’s effort in ensuring 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 thirty communities across the four Local Government Areas of Kwara Central Senatorial District.”
“We also facilitated the construction and furnishing of a block of two classrooms with an office and store, as well as solar-powered street lights at Government Day Junior Secondary School, Karuma, Ilorin East LGA, Fate/Basin Junior Secondary School, Ilorin South LGA, and Local Government Junior Secondary School Odore, Ilorin West LGA,” the legislator added.
Also speaking, the National President of the Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressive Union, Alhaji Abdulmumin AbdulMalik, described the distribution of farming tools as apt and timely, as farmers were currently in the farming season. He noted that Senator Saliu Mustapha had been empowering his constituents and the people of Kwara State before he became a senator.
The Chairman of the Fertilizer Distribution Committee, Hon. Hammed Ayodele Adebayo, noted that uplifting genuine farmers across the four local government areas of the Kwara Central Senatorial District with the provision of fertilisers by Senator Saliu Mustapha was to ensure a bumper harvest during the rainy season.
“Indeed, no society can truly develop without dedicating sincere attention to agriculture. Most of the developed nations today have their roots deeply embedded in agriculture. Recognizing this reality, our distinguished Senator Saliu Mustapha prioritises agriculture to ensure that our local farmers are able to get incentives and farm implements freely as a way to support them towards ensuring food security and a bumper harvest.
“Senator Saliu Mustapha is renowned for his unwavering commitment to philanthropy, a commitment that began long before his involvement in the political arena. His deep understanding of his community’s needs and challenges, coupled with his comprehensive knowledge of its geographical, ecological, and economic dynamics, enables him to effectively address various issues within his constituency. His proactive and empathetic approach ensures that he is well-equipped to implement solutions,” he said.
He added that farmers from the agrarian communities in Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Asa local government areas are the beneficiaries of this phased fertiliser distribution, with about 3,500 50kg bags of fertiliser and 1,000 water pumps distributed.
“The beneficiaries were selected from various agriculture-related groups and individuals. Farmers were chosen from different farmer groups like AFAN and Abike-Loko. Members of traditional, religious, and political groups, confirmed to be farmers, were selected to benefit from the scheme.”
The programme was attended by APC stalwarts in the state, the Balogun Gambari of Ilorin, Alanguas and Magajis, Managing Directors of ARMTI, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, NCAM, NSPRI, and community leaders, religious leaders, and party faithful.
