Date: 2020-09-21

The Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to strong collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) to achieve food sufficiency in the country.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muritala Olarewaju stated this at a meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mua’zu Abdulkadir and his entourage at the Ministry's Conference room in Ilorin.

Alhaji Olarewaju, who commended the Federal Government’s various intervention programmes in the state through FMARD, called for more synergy between the two Ministries towards achieving food security in the state and the country at large.

The Commissioner appreciated FMARD for its interventions in the construction of Primary Animal Health Centre at Adewole in Ilorin, formation of Gidan Magajiya Grazing Reserve in Baruten and building of resting point and Labour line in Moro Local Government Area,among others.

He appealed to the visiting Permanent Secretary to assist in facilitating the completion of the projects for onward release to the State Government.

The Fish Processing Centre at Jebba in Moro Local Government, Olarewaju noted, was completed in 2011 but yet to be handed over to the Ministry for the purpose it was built.

He, however, used the opportunity of the visit to request for a formal handing over of the Centre to the State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for effective usage.

Responding, the Permanent Secretary, FMARD, Dr. Mua’zu Abdulkadir commended the State Government under the leadership of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for the rapid development experienced in the state, promising to assist the state to achieve its desire for food security in the state.

Dr. Abdulkadir assured that the Primary Animal Health Care Centre would soon be completed and handed over to the state, adding that the Fish Processing Centre would also be vigorously pursued to ensure its prompt release to the State Government as well.

He enjoined the State Government to ensure adequate funding of the State Agricultural Development Project (KWADP) in view of its importance in food safety and security of the Nation.

YUSUF GANIYU ADEBISI/OLADIPO TEMPLE O.

Ministry for Agriculture and Rural Development