Kwara govt. says it’s committed to partnering with groups to ensure food sufficiency

The Kwara State Government says it is determined to partner with civil society organisations (CSOs) in agriculture so as to improve its production and ensure food sufficiency in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, gave the commitment on Thursday at a consultative meeting on the 2025 Kwara State agriculture sector budget.

The meeting was organised by the Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE) in conjunction with the Budget Committee Group (BCG) and Smallscale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON).

The civil society groups are in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MPED).

Thomas said farmers, policymakers, financial institutions and development partners have vital roles to play in a secure food system.

The commissioner said the consultative meeting was not merely about crafting policies or allocating funds, but about collaboration, bringing together ideas, knowledge and expertise.

”All these are to ensure the budget aligns with the real needs of Kwara’s agricultural sector.

“Only through collective wisdom and commitment can the challenges that still exist be turned into opportunities.

”Together, the 2025 budget can be shaped into a tool that drives true transformation, ensuring that every farmer, every community, feels the impact of progress,” she said.

The Commissioner for Agriculture also used the occasion to encourage women farmers to spread knowledge and information on backyard farming practice.

She said this was organic, healthier and capable of fighting food insecurity.

Thomas said the state government has been able to develop agriculture, especially with training, distribution of input and empowerment of youth and farmers in the state.

“Every investment must be deliberate in the next agriculture budget for 2025.

“Every one has a vital role to play in order to ensure that 2025 budget aligns with the agriculture needs of every stakeholder,” she said.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of CCEPE, Malam Abdurrahman Ayuba, said part of reasons for the meeting was to move away from rain-fed agriculture to all-year-round agriculture in the state.

Ayuba called on governments to assist farmers, especially women farmers, with the irrigation system.

”The meeting was planned to support the Agriculture Ministry on measures to take to ensure that over 95 per cent of farmers’ needs are met.

”The meeting is also aimed at making agriculture production to conform with required standards which would facilitate acceptable exportation of agricultural produce as well as feed the populace,” Ayuba said.

SWOFON members, while speaking also, asked state government officials in attendance to organise trainings on backyard farming for them, provide irrigation system support, and modern agriculture tools and equipment.