The governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has established a diverse state working committee dedicated to food security. Their primary goal is to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that the populace has access to affordable food.
This committee is composed of the governor as chairperson; Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Oluwatoyosi Adebayo Thomas; Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs; state coordinator of the federal ministry of agriculture; NAGS-AP State Focal Person; a representative of the River Basin Development Authority; a representative of the State ADPs; a representative of ICT Providers servicing the state; representatives of relevant commodity associations — AFAN, Maize Cassava, Soybean, rice; bank of agriculture; Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending; and a representative of the state traditional council and Etsu Tsaragi Alhaji Aliyu Kpotwa Abdullahi.
The main objective of this committee is to devise strategies, policies, and initiatives to tackle food security challenges and promote sustainable agricultural practices, among other tasks.
In a statement released on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaiye, the governor emphasized that the committee members are entrusted with the task of ensuring that every resident in the state can access safe, nutritious, and affordable food.
“In embarking on this endeavor, we must recognize the obstacles ahead. Challenges such as climate change, population growth, and economic instability pose threats to food production and accessibility. Nonetheless, we must remain resolute in our determination to overcome these challenges. Our focus will be on supporting smallholder farmers, empowering rural communities, and harnessing innovation and technology,” he stated.
“I urge each committee member to approach their role with dedication and empathy. Our impact will be measured not only by the policies we create, but by the real difference we make in the lives of our fellow citizens.
“Let us collaborate, leveraging our collective expertise, connections, and backgrounds to devise solutions that address the root causes of food insecurity in our state.”
On her part, Adebayo-Thomas highlighted that the committee has a challenging task ahead and is committed to working tirelessly to achieve the goal of making Kwara self-reliant in food production.
The Managing Director of Lower Niger RBDA, Dr. Adeniyi Aremu, stressed the importance of Nigeria being self-sufficient in food production, urging the committee to remain dedicated to its set objectives.
The Etsu Tsaragi praised the governor for establishing the committee and called for effective cooperation with all commodity associations in this crucial endeavor.