By Peter Adelowo
The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of free farm inputs to farmers in Kwara State as part of efforts to promote all-year-round farming, boost agricultural production, and ensure food security in the country.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Ilorin, themed “Inputs Distribution for All-Year-Round Farming,” the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the initiative aligns with the President’s priority on food security.
He was represented by the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Abdulmalik Abdulganiyu.
The minister said the Federal Government is working closely with state governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to address challenges affecting food security, economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.
He explained that the ministry has introduced short-term support measures to make essential farm inputs affordable and accessible to small-scale farmers through a transparent process, especially those constrained by high market costs.
Items distributed include power tillers, herbicides, liquid fertilizers, knapsack sprayers, water pumps, and other inputs, which are being given to farmers through commodity associations, cooperative groups, farmers with special needs, and internally displaced persons.
Also speaking, the Kwara State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Afees Abolore, said the programme complements the state government’s ongoing distribution of six thousand bags of fertilizer, noting that the initiative will help make food more available and affordable.
Beneficiary farmers expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the support.
