The Kwara State Government is strengthening its agricultural sector through strategic partnerships with the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) and other national agricultural funding institutions.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Afeez Abolore, announced this during an inter-ministerial press briefing in Ilorin, organized by the Ministry of Communications.
He said the collaboration aims to align national support mechanisms with the specific needs of smallholder farmers, youths, and rural communities in the state.
“Our engagements with NIRSAL and similar agencies are designed to build a system that delivers real value to farmers by aligning national interventions with local priorities,” Abolore said.
He emphasized the state’s integrated approach to agricultural transformation through investments in infrastructure, policy frameworks, and institutional partnerships.
As part of these efforts, a 7-member interim committee has been established to monitor the distribution of agricultural resources and ensure that inputs reach the grassroots.
Dr. Abolore highlighted several key achievements for the first quarter of 2025 including: hosting of the Agro Input Fair, launch of a pilot soil assessment laboratory for precision agriculture under the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Card Scheme (NFSHCS), and strengthened collaboration with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) to promote local rice production and value chain development.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to fostering collaboration across government levels and stakeholders to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth in Kwara’s agricultural sector.
