KWHA Speaker lauds agricultural intervention on nation-building

The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad has disclosed that for most States, Local Government Councils and Youths in the Country to be self sustaining and attain food security they must key into farming.

Dr Ahmad made this observation in Ejidongari in Moro Local Government of the state  during the law makers’ visit to their farm tagged Dodo integrated Farm where 300 hectares of soya beans were cultivated.
The Speaker ,who described farming as the way out of joblessness and inability of most states and local governments  to address infrastructural decay and pay workers’ salaries, said every part of Nigeria has potentials for  one crop or the other, to empower youth and check over dependence on federal allocation for survival.

He said the legislators would soon embark on cultivation of maize and beans and disclosed that they decided to visit the farms on legislative day to create awareness on why Nigerians should take advantage of Dodo integrated farm initiative, pointing out that no local government council in Kwara state should have excuse not to engage in farming in addressing payment of salary of staff.

       In their remarks, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources Goke Bamidele and the Special Adviser to the governor on Agriculture , Anu Ibiwoye underscored the determination of the state government in using agriculture to stimulate the economy, through wealth and Job creation, assuring that government would continue to give necessary support in making sure that Dodo integrated farm succeeds .
The  Chairman Board of Trustees of the farm,  Barrister Kamaldeen Fagbemi  who disclosed that the board was established to ensure proper monitoring of the Farm,  assured that the legislators would reap bumper harvests from the farm  this season.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Legislative Matter,  Hon. Kayode Omotoshe said it was  disheartening that  the nation was importing #1bn worth of rice for consumption everyday, when the nation according to him, has every potential to be exporter of rice and expressed delight over the farming initiative of the Law makers.
Earlier,  the Chairman of the House Committee on Water and Agricultural Resources Hon.  Ishiaku Aliyu Adams said 750 hectares of land were acquired,  pointing out that the Law makers would soon embark on Maize  production and praised the Speaker for  the political will demonstrated on the farming initiative.