The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Production Services, and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, has decried the impacts of climate change on agriculture.
Senator Mustapha expressed concern over the effects of climate change on farmland cultivation, noting that it has significantly degraded soil quality and adversely affected agricultural productivity.
He also distributed 3,500 bags of fertilizer to smallholder farmers across the four local government areas of Kwara Central Senatorial District.
The distribution, which took place at the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority in Ilorin, is part of a broader strategy to promote sustainable agricultural practices in the district.
The beneficiaries of the fertilizer distribution include members of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), individual farmers, and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who are engaged in farming activities.
Senator Mustapha assured that the scheme, tagged “Empowering Kwara Central Farmers: Unlocking Self-Sufficiency in Food Production,” would benefit more farmers in the long run.
He stated that the goal of the scheme is to support agricultural productivity and enhance crop yields for local farmers.
The senator noted that the impact of climate change and over-cultivation of farmland has severely affected soil quality, resulting in lower crop yields.
He added that he personally purchased the 3,500 bags of fertilizer distributed to empower the farmers and improve their yield.
In reviewing his achievements over the past year, Senator Mustapha noted the reconstruction of a one-kilometer asphalt road opposite Al-Hikmah University leading to the Oke-Foma link road in Ilorin West Local Government Area.
He also mentioned the installation of solar-powered motorized boreholes and streetlights across the senatorial district, complementing the state government’s efforts to ensure access to safe water for residents.
