Kwara Set To Develop Agriculture

The Kwara State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Mohammad Isah, has reiterated his determination to collaborate with stakeholders in the development of agriculture for food security.

Isah who stated this in Ilorin on Monday explained that officials of the ministry and those of the Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending had met to discuss partnership.

He also said that the ministry had held a meeting with the Managing Director of Lixkonti Ranch and Industry, Ejidongari and Prime Gold Fertiliser, Ilorin, Chief Felix Okonti on how to collaborate to boost food production.

According to him, the initiative is an offshoot of the Agricultural Transformation Action Plan for Nigeria, launched by President Goodluck Jonathan as a roadmap for agricultural transformation in the country.

He urged stakeholders to show interest and actively participate in the programme.

The commissioner said that the initiative had the potential to generate more than 500,000 jobs by 2015 through commercial agriculture, adding that the programme could be used to create wealth and alleviate poverty.

He commended the Public Private Partnership initiative of the state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, saying that it had become a model for other states.