The Kwara State Government yesterday flagged off the distribution of the 20014 improved certified maize seeds to farmers across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

The state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed who was represented on the occasion by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barrister Anthony Towoju said the state government in collaboration with the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme was providing 14.2 metric tones of the improved maize seed to be planted on 710 hectares of land.

The commissioner further explained that the planted maize is expected to produce 300 metric tones of maize grains.

Towoju added that about 450 farmers were selected across the 16 local government areas of the state to benefit from the programme.

He also disclosed that about 40 out growers farmers would benefit from the certified maize seed production, saying that the seeds were already treated and not meant for consumption.

The Managing Director, Kwara Agriculture Development Project (KWADP), Dr Sunday Atanda had earlier in his remarks underscored the importance of the programme aimed at ensuring mass production.

He noted with satisfaction that food security which according to him was one of the Millennium Development had taken a centre stage in the developmental agenda of the present administration.

According to him, "Developmental activities in the agricultural sector at moving agriculture from subsistence to commercial agriculture by the present administration in the state confirm the efforts and strong will on part of the government to boost agricultural sector".

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mallam Mukaila Salahudeen expressed gratitude to the state government for its kind gesture and promised to make the maximum use of the opportunity to promote mass production and food sufficiency of the state government.