The Kwara Fadama III project has disbursed over N179 million in the last one year, as the wife of Kwara State Governor, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, commissioned the Irewolede Vegetable Women Project in Lasoju-Otte, Asa Local Government Area of the state.

At the commissioning yesterday, Mrs. Ahmed said the fund has been used to provide 24 boreholes, 40 wells, construction of 7km of rural access roads, six lock¬up shops, two mini bridges, cooling sheds, over 30 agro-processing centres two feted mills and varying quantities of agro-inputs.

According to her, others are setting up of 15 fisheries, 10 poultry sub-projects, two veterinary clinics and "of course the provision of capacity building and advisory services, among other interventions.no hesitation in approving the release of the outstanding N80 million state government counterpart fund contribution," she remarked.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Mohammed Issa Babakpan, in his address stated that Fadama III project was to increase the income of users of rural land and water resources on a sustainable basis.

According to the commissioner, by increasing their incomes, the project will help reduce rural poverty, increase food security and contribute to the achievement of major millennium development goals (MDGs).

Earlier in his welcome address, the state project coordinator Mr. Usman Akanbi, said that Fadama project in the state has contributed in no small measure in complementing the laudable efforts of the government in its rural transformation.

He explained that the 16 local government areas are currently benefiting from the World Bank sponsored Fadama III project in the state.

The chairperson, Asa Local Government Area, Hajia Kudirat Yahaya, commended the state government for lifting the living standard of the women in the state.

By Kayode Olasehinde & Funke Duro-Lawal (The Herald)