..Tolls out modest achievements in past one year
By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Production Services and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, has flagged off the distribution of 3,500 bags of 50kg fertiliser to smallholder farmers across the four local government areas of Kwara Central Senatorial District in the first phase of the exercise as part of a broader strategy to ensure sustainable agricultural practices.
Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, made this known at the weekend during the distribution of the fertilizer to members of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Kwara State, individuals and party members, who are into farming, held at the playing ground of Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Ilorin.
At the event, tagged “Empowering Kwara Central Farmers: Unlocking self- sufficiency in food production”, the initiative aims to support agricultural productivity and improve crop yields for local farmers.
The Senator, who added that about 1,000 pumping machines were distributed to the farmers, noted that the programme was designed to empower the farmers within Kwara Central Senatorial District to be able to minimise the challenges faced with food production and improve the quantity and quality of farm produce for the people of the Senatorial District and beyond.
“The impact of climate change and over cultivation of farm land has negatively affected the quality of the soil for farming. This has resulted in lower yield of crops produce.
“It is important to emphasise that I personally purchased the 3500 bags of fertiliser distributed today to empower our farmers and improve their yield”, he said.
Mustapha noted that the distribution of such a significant quantity of fertiliser demonstrates a substantial investment in the agricultural sector, reflecting a commitment to enhancing food security and supporting the livelihood of farmers to boost food production in the state.
The Senator, who is also the Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory Area Council, used the opportunity to reel out his achievements in office in the last one year as a legislator, saying that the reconstruction of one kilometer asphaltic road opposite Al-Hikmah University leading to Oke-Foma link road in Ilorin West Local Government Area was facilitated to the constituency.
He added that solar-powered motorized boreholes and street lights were also installed across the four local government areas of the senatorial district, to complement the state government’s effort in ensuring that the people of the state have access to safe water.
“For record purpose, the solar-powered motorized boreholes were provided at Ile Onifitila, Kankatu, Okelele Road, Ilorin East LGA, Jato Community Ifesowapo, behind Taoheed Central Mosque in Ilorin South LGA, Itamerin Junction, Opposite Alhaja Oil in Ilorin West LGA, Aloba Close, Oke Ikoyi, Oke Oyi in Ilorin East LGA, Agbeyangi town in Ilorin East LGA, while Solar powered street lights were installed at Computer Village Challenge Area, Ilorin; and Muslim Cemetery, Oko-Olowo, among other areas and Over thirty (30) communities across the four (4) Local Government Areas of Kwara Central Senatorial District.
“We also facilitated construction and furnishing of a block of two classrooms with office and store as well as solar-powered street lights at Government Day Junior Secondary School, Karuma, Ilorin East LGA, Fate/Basin Junior Secondary School, Ilorin South LGA, Local Government Junior Secondary School Odore, Ilorin West LGA “, the legislator added.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion and National President of Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressive Union, Alhaji Abdulmumin AbdulMalik, described the distribution of farming tools as apt and timely as farmers were currently in farming season, saying that the senator Saliu Mustapha had been empowering his constituents and the people of Kwara state before he became the senator.
The Chairman of the Fertilisers Distribution Committee, Hon. Hammed Ayodele Adebayo noted that the uplifting of genuine farmers across the four local government areas of the Kwara Central senatorial districts with the provision of fertilisers by Senator Saliu Mustapha was to ensure bumper harvest during the raining season.
” Indeed, no society can truly develop without dedicating sincere attention to agriculture. Most of the developed nations today have their roots deeply embedded in agriculture. Recognizing this reality, our distinguished Senator Saliu Mustapha priorities agriculture to ensure that our local farmers were able to get incentives and farm implements freely as a way to support them towards ensuring food security and bumper harvest.
“ Senator Saliu Mustapha is renowned for his unwavering commitment to philanthropy, a commitment that began long before his involvement in the political arena. His deep understanding of his community’s needs and challenges, coupled with his comprehensive knowledge of its geographical, ecological, and economic dynamics, enables him to effectively address various issues within his constituency. His proactive and empathetic approach ensures that he is well-equipped to implement solutions.” He said
He added that farmers from the agrarian communities in Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Asa local government areas are the beneficiaries of this phased fertilizer distribution as bout 3,500 50kg bags of fertilisers would be distributed and 1000 water pumps.
“The beneficiaries were selected from various agriculture-related groups and individuals. farmers were chosen from different farmer groups like AFAN and Abike-Loko. members of traditional, religious, and political groups, confirmed to be farmers, were selected to benefit from the scheme.
The programme was well attended by stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress in the state, the Balogun Gambari of Ilorin, Alanguas and Magajis, Managing Directors of ARMTI, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, NCAM, NSPRI, and community leaders, religious leaders and party faithfuls