• Partners Arzikin Noma, IDH

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Government has commenced additional distribution of farm inputs to farmers in Apata Alaje, Banni Community in Kaiama local government area as part of measures to drive food sufficiency and promote livestock development.

The agricultural initiative is being carried out by the State Ministry of Livestock Development in partnership with Arzikin Noma and IDH, an international partner.

Speaking at the flag off ceremony, Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas, said the project is focusing on cultivating sorghum and soyabean to boost grain production for animal feed, adding that the measure would also check the perennial conflicts between farmers and herders in the state.

She commended the development partners for coming on board, and described the partnership as timely and purposeful.

She said: “The current partnership with Arzikin /Idh/Olam is very timely because it is focused on cultivation of grains for human and animal, but majorly for animal feed production,” she said.

“As we are all aware, food is the main reason for clashes between farmers and herders and if we can grow more grains that will be used for animal feed to achieve the modernisation and commercialization of Livestock farming, then we are on our way to ending farmers/herders clashes in Nigeria.

“This partnership will also help us to achieve a broader agenda of this administration – which is creation of industries and value addition centres, to ensure that goods produced in Kwara are processed or improved upon and do not leave the state as unprocessed goods.”

According to her, the items for distribution include 18,000 bags of fertilizer, 6,000 liters each of 3 different chemicals, 75MT of sorghum seed, and 100MT of soya seed.

At the event were the Commissioner for Transportation, Hon Aliyu Kora Sabi; Special Adviser to the Governor on Strategy, Alhaji Atiku Abdulsalam; Special Assistant on Farmers Intervention, Suleiman Abdullahi Belle; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Livestock Development, Alhaji Yahaya Muhammed; representative of the Director of Security Service (DSS), Mr Usman Danladi; MD/CEO Arzikin Noma Nigeria Limited, Adesola Adeoluwa; Senior Programme Manager for IDH, Dr Daniel Abah; Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Sheu Muazu Omar, who was represented by the Waziri Kaiama, Alhaji Adamu Gene; other chieftains of the Emirate; and farmers.

Sabi, for his part, said the choice of the Apata Alaje community for the project is a welcome development, expressing hope that this would promote peace between the farmers and herders in that locality, urging the beneficiaries to make good use of the items to achieve the desired results.

Atiku, in his remarks, said the initiative serves as a symbol of progress and innovation on the agricultural renaissance of the State, commending the Governor’s vision and investment in the agric and livestock development.

CEO Arzikin Noma Nigeria Limited, Adeoluwa, said the project was aimed at ensuring that farmers have access to agro-chemical, quality seedlings, training and other necessary support.

He said the farmers will not have problems with sales, promising that off-takers like Olam are on ground to buy from them after the harvest.

Speaking on behalf of IDH, Dr Abah, said the programme was to transform the agricultural value chain so that smallholder farmers can benefit and do well in creating more jobs.

He added that IDH is a foundation that focuses on making agricultural supply chains more sustainable, assuring that the current partnership will be sustainable and beneficial to all parties involved.

Mrs Asmau Muhammad and Iliasu Saka, among other beneficiaries, who spoke at the event, appreciated the government for the gesture and promised to make judicious use of the items.

End