The Kwara State government has reiterated its commitment to advancing agricultural development through strategic collaborations with national agro-allied institutions.
As part of its broader agricultural agenda, the state disclosed that all-natural resource initiatives and development projects are deliberately designed to generate employment, ensure food security, and foster peaceful coexistence.
This was revealed during the recent quarterly inter-ministerial press briefing, where commissioners and representatives of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) under the administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq presented their stewardship for the first quarter of 2025.
Oloruntoyosi Thomas, the state commissioner for Livestock Development, said the government had vaccinated a total of 132,792 ruminants to curb the disease among animals.
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Given the breakdown, she said that 110,241 cattle, 16,009 sheep, and 6,542 goats were immunised during the exercise.
Thomas noted that during the quarter under review, the newly established ministry launched a Live Bird Market aimed at creating growth opportunities for poultry farmers and sellers.
The market, according to her, serves as a surveillance point to help prevent the transmission of zoonotic diseases.
The commissioner also stated that a Cadre Harmonisé analysis was conducted, with the results presented to national and international bodies, including ECOWAS and the United Nations by the National Task Force, reaffirming that the ministry remains committed to building a vibrant, modern, and inclusive livestock sector.
Highlighting key achievements made through intervention programmes such as the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, she underscored the government’s dedication to unlocking the vast potential within the livestock industry.
She said: “This administration under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, remains committed to revolutionising agriculture as the mainstay of our economy, with livestock production as a critical component.”
“To Karans, I say, the future of livestock in our state is bright. We will continue to work tirelessly to deliver on our promises.”
However, Thomas announced that preparations are underway for a state-wide rabies vaccination campaign, even as she assured the public that the current administration is fully committed to eliminating rabies-related incidents stemming from dog and cat bites.
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In a related department, Afees Abolore Alabi, commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, said the ministry is partnering with
The Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) and other agriculture-focused federal funding agencies.
He explained that the collaborations aimed at enhancing structural support and tailor national interventions to meet the specific needs of smallholder farmers, youths, and rural communities across the state.
“Our engagements with institutions like NIRSAL and other funding agencies are focused on creating a coordinated system that delivers tangible value to farmers. We are ensuring that national support structures are effectively aligned with our local priorities to drive inclusive and sustainable agricultural growth.”
Alabi declared that under the leadership of Governor Abdulrazaq, the ministry is pursuing a holistic approach to agricultural transformation, with ongoing investments in infrastructure, policy reform, and institutional collaboration.
In addition to its engagements with NIRSAL and other partners, the Ministry is deepening ties with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) under the Renewed Hope Mega Farm Settlement Initiative.
This initiative is facilitating the development of large-scale farm settlements throughout Kwara.
He said discussions are ongoing with Contec Global Agro Limited to establish a bio-fertilizer production plant and launch a backyard farming programme targeting women and youths.
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“To ensure transparency and grassroots impact in the distribution of agricultural inputs, the State Government has inaugurated a seven-member interim oversight committee,” Alabi explained.
Adding that, “this committee is tasked with monitoring the distribution of government-provided agricultural resources, eliminating diversion, and ensuring that support reaches the intended beneficiaries, particularly smallholder farmers.”
Among the ministry’s key achievements in the first quarter of 2025 according to him was the successful hosting of the Agro Input Fair.
The event connected farmers with certified vendors of inputs, mechanisation services, and agrochemicals, while also providing localised agronomic guidance on planting periods, drought forecasts, and growing season trends for each Local Government Area.
