The Kwara State Government has resumed the distribution of farm inputs to farmers in Apata Alaje and Banni Community, Kaiama Local Government Area (LGA), as part of efforts to enhance food security and livestock development.

The initiative, led by the state Ministry of Livestock Development in collaboration with Arzikin Noma and international partner IDH, focuses on promoting sorghum and soyabean cultivation to boost grain production for animal feed.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Monday, Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas, Commissioner for Livestock Development, stated that the project aims to increase grain output while reducing conflicts between farmers and herders. A statement by Daibu Abubakar, the ministry's Press Secretary, revealed that the commissioner praised the partners for their timely involvement, calling the collaboration "purposeful and impactful."

The distribution aligns with Kwara's broader strategy to strengthen agricultural resilience and sustainable livelihoods in rural areas.

"The current partnership with Arzikin /Idh/Olam is very timely because it is focused on cultivation of grains for human and animal, but majorly for animal feed production," she said.

"As we are all aware, food is the main reason for clashes between farmers and herders and if we can grow more grains that will be used for animal feed to achieve the modernisation and commercialisation of Livestock farming, then we are on our way to ending farmers/herders clashes in Nigeria.

"This partnership will also help us to achieve a broader agenda of this administration, which is the creation of industries and value addition centres, to ensure that goods produced in Kwara are processed or improved upon and do not leave the state as unprocessed goods."

She said the items for distribution will cover 18000 bags of fertilisers, 6000 liters each of 3 different chemicals, 75MT of sorghum seed, and 100MT of soya seed.

Hon Aliyu Sabi, commissioner for transportation in his speech said the choice of the Apata Alaje community for the project is a welcome development, expressing hope that this will promote peace between the farmers and herders in that locality.

He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items to achieve the desired results.

In his remarks, Atiku Abdulsalam, the governor's special adviser on strategy, said the flag-off of the distribution of inputs serves as a symbol of progress and innovation in the state's agricultural renaissance.

He commends the Governor's vision and investment in agricultural and livestock development.

CEO of Arzikin Noma Nigeria Limited, Adesola Adeoluwa, said the project was aimed at ensuring that farmers have access to agrochemicals, quality seedlings, training, and other necessary support.

He said the farmers will not have problems with sales, promising that off-takers like Olam are on the ground to buy from them after the harvest.

Speaking on behalf of IDH, Senior Program Manager, Dr Daniel Abah, said the programme was to transform the agricultural value chain so that smallholder farmers can benefit and do well in creating more jobs.

He said IDH is a foundation that focuses on making agricultural supply chains more sustainable, assuring that the current partnership will be sustainable and beneficial to all parties involved.

Mrs Asmau Muhammad and Iliasu Saka among other beneficiaries, who spoke at the event, appreciated the government for the gesture and promised to make judicious use of the items.