The Kwara State Government says it is building a food-secure state, where farmers will be self-reliant, empowered and prosperous.

The state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed this at the official flag-off ceremony of Agricultural empowerment and inputs distribution at Kwara State Government House, Ilorin.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi, said the Government is embarking on an irrigation scheme to enable all-year farming.

He said 60 irrigation sites across the 16 Local Government areas have been developed and equipped for this purpose.

The aim, he said, is to change the narrative in the state Agriculture sector by empowering grassroots farmers with desired inputs.

“The agricultural sector is central to the policy of our government which is why we are mounting direct efforts in revitalizing the sector by enabling the farmers to gain self-reliance and economic empowerment,” the Governor explained.

He further stated that the state is investing in the livestock sub-sector of the livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project.

“To ensure that our people consume safe and wholesome meat, all arrangements have been completed to release animal cooling vans which will soon be handed over to the Butchers Association of Nigeria. Kwara State Chapter.”

In his address, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Mallam Gidado Abdulateef Alakawa said the Governor is maximizing the state as an agrarian state and making Agric a centre point of focus in his Administration.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Finance, Mrs Florence Oyeyemi, praised the Governor for his achievements in the agriculture sector which, she said, is creating food security in the state.