Federal Government has named Kwara State as the most agriculturally developed state in the federation, even as it has distributed free high yielding  cassava  stems  to farmers in the state.

The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, stated this in Shonga in Edu Local Government Area of the state during the roll-out of the Federal Government Agricultural Transformation Agenda on cassava value chain in the state.

The Minister in his message through an official of his ministry, Mr. James Awoniyi, to the event said the agriculture transformation programme of the present administration in the state have placed the state at a vintage point in the country and across the globe.

He disclosed further that under   the   growth enhancement support programme, cassava farmers in the state would be given fifteen bundles of high yielding cassava varieties free of charge to improve

farmer's productive capacity  and transformed  their economic fortunes. Dr Adesina however urge  farmers in the state in optimally utilize the opportunities offered by the state and the federal  government to galvanize the sector.

In his address., Governor Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, represented by his deputy, Elder Peter Kisira, commended the Federal Government for the various initiative aimed at revitalizing agriculture and for recognizing the state's contribution to agricultural transformation.

Governor Ahmed also assured of his administration commitment to not only drive agriculture transformation in the country but to expand the vast agricultural potential that abound in the state.

He therefore called on farmers to take active part in the programme in order to benefit maximally from the expected prosperity to be heralded by the government.

Earlier in his welcome address, the commissioner had assured of the state commitment to the successful implementation of the federal government initiatives in the state.

Mr. Olayemi also disclosed that necessary input such as cassava cuttings, fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides as well as other support facilities for successful farming exercise would be available at fifty percent discount.

High point of the event was the distribution of the high yielding cassava stem to cassava growers' association representatives from the 16 local government areas of the state by the representative of the Minister, Mr. Awoniyi, and Olayemi.

There was also the symbolic planting of the cassava stem by the Deputy Governor, Elder Kisira, and the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Prof. Gana Yisa, which was followed by the distribution of cassava-based UTC Breads, Biscuits, cakes and gala snacks to the participants.

The event was attended by members of the state executive council, House of Assembly members, Traditional rulers and other stakeholders.

Culled from The Herald