With the recent training of 700 farmers and extension agents, Kwara State has made important efforts to improve its agricultural sector. The World Bank, the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, and the Kwara State government are working together on the project, which intends to increase Food Security and enhance lives throughout the state. The program prepared participants for sustainable Livestock farming by emphasising crop residue processing and small ruminant production. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed faith in the program’s transformative potential during the closing ceremony of the week-long training, which was conducted at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization in Ilorin.
Targeting a variety of people which includes livestock producers, crop farmers, retired public servants, as well as young people from rural areas, the program covered breeding and management strategies for goats, sheep, grasscutters, rabbits, and snails. These initiatives fit into the state’s larger plan to use agricultural development to promote economic growth. The state governor underlined that participants now possess the means to tackle food Insecurity while also positioning themselves as agricultural entrepreneurs and leaders.
This program is expected to combat unemployment.
He emphasised how the program’s promotion of entrepreneurship over conventional white-collar occupations may help combat unemployment. The dedication of Kwara State to agricultural development emphasises how crucial Innovation and capacity building are to attaining both Economic Stability and food sufficiency. The state is laying the groundwork for a more resilient agricultural Economy that benefits its citizens and advances Nigeria as a whole by giving priority to Farmer Education and providing necessary resources. The Kwara State administration has taken steps to improve agricultural output in addition to training.
Tractors were provided throughout all 16 local government regions, and more than 600,000 smallholder farmers received necessary farming resources. In order to guarantee that farmers can satisfy the rising demand for food and livestock products, these programs seek to modernise farming methods and increase productivity. A move towards a knowledge-driven economy is also reflected in the program. To attain sustainable growth, stakeholders such as Alhaji Abdullateef Alakawa, Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, emphasised the significance of utilising new agricultural expertise.
Agriculture is still a significant part of the country’s economy.
Nigeria’s economy still depends heavily on agriculture, which, as of 2020, accounted for almost 35% of all employment. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) stated that the industry supports most Nigerians and substantially contributes to the country’s GDP. It is separated into four major sub-sectors: livestock, fishing, forestry, and crop production. Nigeria has 70.8 million hectares of cropland, among other abundant agricultural resources. Of this, 30.3 million hectares are utilised for pastures and meadows, 6.5 million hectares are allocated to permanent crops, and 34 million hectares are arable.
The main crops include groundnuts, yam, cassava, and maize. In northern Nigeria, animal rearing is very common. In southern locations, fishing is a vital activity despite its limited prevalence. The sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP has increased significantly in recent years. In the third quarter of 2019, for instance, agriculture contributed 29.25% of the total GDP, indicating its critical position in the economy. Notwithstanding its achievements, Nigeria’s agriculture industry still confronts obstacles like inadequate infrastructure, restricted financing availability, and a lack of mechanisation.
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By equipping farmers with contemporary techniques and creating an environment that is conducive to growth, programs like as the Kwara training program are an important first step in resolving these problems. In addition to improving food security, the Kwara State government is paving the way for wealth creation by investing in resources and training. It is anticipated that as participants put their newly acquired skills to use, the state’s Agro-economy will grow and that other states will be inspired to follow suit.