In a strategic effort to boost agricultural development in Kwara State, the government has set up a 7-member Interim Caretaker Committee to serve as the official voice of farmers across the State.
This move is designed to strengthen confidence in government-led agricultural initiatives and improve the delivery of support services to farmers.
The committee members were chosen from various parts of the State based on their proven track record, active grassroots participation, and commitment to advancing agriculture.
Reflecting the Governor’s commitment to women’s empowerment, the committee was also deliberately structured to ensure gender balance.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development headquarters in Ilorin, with attendance from ministry officials, the newly appointed caretaker committee members, leaders of agricultural associations and bodies, as well as members of the public.
Representing the State Government, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Afees Alabi, tasked the new committee with upholding integrity, fairness, and a strong sense of duty to the farming community.
Describing the committee as a strategic body rather than a symbolic one, Dr. Alabi emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring that government support reaches farmers efficiently and at the right time.
He highlighted the committee’s core functions, including verifying genuine beneficiaries, preventing the misallocation of farming inputs, and working alongside enforcement agencies to maintain transparency.
The Commissioner also noted that the committee will serve as a crucial link between the government and farmers, especially as the planting season draws near.
Dr. Alabi commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his steadfast support of farmers and expressed confidence that the committee would significantly contribute to advancing agriculture in the State.
He urged them to provide outstanding service and ensure that every intervention gets to the right hands.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Mallam Abdullahi Ahmed expressed appreciation for the confidence placed in them by the State Government. He acknowledged the weight of their responsibility and assured the public of their dedication to fairness, transparency, and equitable resource distribution.
He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to prioritizing farmers’ needs and meeting the expectations of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Also addressing the gathering, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Funke Sokoya, described the formation of the committee as a timely and strategic move to improve coordination within the agricultural sector.
She reiterated the importance of the committee in ensuring efficient implementation of government interventions and congratulated members on their selection.
Other notable attendees included the Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, and the State Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Alhaji Samsudeen Aregbe, along with several other key stakeholders in the sector.
