Success Nwankwo
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has tasked a multi-sectorial state working committee on food security with ensuring that people have access to reasonably priced food by collaborating with all relevant parties.
The Governor serves as the Chairman of the committee, which also includes Oluwatoyosi Adebayo Thomas, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development; Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development, and Chieftaincy Affairs; State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture; and a representative of NAGS-AP State Focal Person. Other members of the committee include the representatives of the River Basin Development Authority, the State ADPs, the Bank of Agriculture, the Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending, and the state traditional council and Etsu Tsaragi Alhaji Aliyu Kpotwa Abdullahi.
The Governor, during the committee’s inception, stated in a statement released on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaiye, that the members of the committee will be tasked with guaranteeing that all residents of the state have access to reasonably priced, wholesome food.
Among other things, the committee’s duties include creating plans, guidelines, and programmes to solve issues related to food security and to advance sustainable farming methods.
“We must be aware of the difficulties that lie ahead as we set out on this adventure. Food production and access are threatened by population expansion, economic instability, and climate change. However, we must not waver in our resolve to go past these challenges. Our main goals will be to empower rural people, assist smallholder farmers, and take use of innovation and technology, he stated.
The spokesman emphasized the need to address environmental, population, and economic challenges in food production and access, focusing on supporting smallholder farmers, empowering rural communities, and leveraging technology.
He also stated, “Let us work together, drawing upon our collective expertise, network, and experience to develop solutions that address the root causes of food insecurity in our state.”
Adebayo-Thomas, for her part, stated that the committee had a difficult task ahead of it and would work nonstop to accomplish the goal of Kwara becoming self-sufficient in food.
Nigeria must feed itself, according to Dr. Adeniyi Aremu, Managing Director of the Lower Niger Regional Development Authority. He urged the committee to stick to its mandate.
The Etsu Tsaragi applauded the governor for forming the committee and demanded that all commodity associations work together effectively to complete the crucial mission.