Beneficiaries of the Kwara State government agricultural inputs and irrigation equipment empowerment scheme have praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for enhancing the capacity of indigenous farmers and improving food production in the state.

The farmers gave the commendation during an unscheduled inspection visit to the Salala cluster irrigation farm site in Afon, Asa local government area of the state.

Speaking on behalf of other farmers, the farm leader, Isiaka Yusuf, said the irrigation empowerment programme had changed the face of rice production, pointing out that the vision of the group was to establish a rice industrial estate in the state.

The state government had in March this year empowered over 4,000 farmers across the 16 local government areas of the state with free agricultural inputs and irrigation equipment to enable them engage in an all-year-round-farming with a view to boosting food production.

In his remarks, the state commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Gidado AbdulLateef Alakawa, assured the farmers of the state government's continued support towards achieving food sufficiency in the state.

Alakawa also appreciated the farmers for boosting the present administration's policy thrust on an all-year-round farming initiative.