Food Security: Kwara Unveils 15 New Tractors, Other Farm Implements

By Hammed Shittu

As part of move to boost food production, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has launched 15 new tractors and several modern farm implements for farmers in the state.
The commissioning of the machines according to the governor was to give bite to the mechanisation component of the recently launched state agricultural transformation plan.
Speaking at Ilorin recently, the governor said the whole focus of the transformation plan was, “to achieve food security, sustainable growth, and create jobs.”

Other implements launched included ploughs, harrows, ridgers, and a mobile workshop to properly manage the machines.

AbdulRazaq said, “mechanisation is key for the success of the crop production pillar of the agric blueprint and that the administration had kickstarted the implementation with the recent flag off of farm inputs subsidy scheme which gave at least 10,000 farmers access to improved seedlings, fertilisers and chemicals at half the market price.

“The purchase of new tractors and implements is another milestone as the administration did not inherit any functional tractor when it came to office in 2019.”

The governor added, “Today’s commissioning of 15 new tractors and implements flags off the mechanisation component of the agric transformation plan.

“I must mention, for the record, that our administration did not inherit any functional tractor in 2019. This step speaks to our seriousness to truly transform how we farm and put Kwara on the map of agribusiness.

“The objective of our mechanisation programme is to ensure increased output of higher value products.”

He added: “It will also eliminate hardship associated with agricultural production powered by human labour. This initiative has been designed to provide mechanisation services for smallholder and commercial farmers in the state.

“This is just the first in the series of our mechanisation initiative. We would be acquiring more tractors and other sophisticated equipments like combined harvesters, planters, boom sprayer and others to support our farmers and boost production.

“This will totally transform the way crop production is carried out in Kwara state, and ensure that mechanisation becomes the norm for all farmers in the state.”

The event was attended by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; House of Assembly Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu; the Grand Kadi of the State Shariah Courts of Appeal Hon. Justice Mohammed Ola Abdulkadir who stood in for the Chief Judge; House of Assembly members; cabinet members; and top APC chieftains led by caretaker chairman Abdullahi Samari.

Representatives of All Farmers Association of Nigeria in Kwara State Alhaji Mahmud Bello said: “All your administration’s supports are helpful to farming activities in the state. We are grateful for your numerous interventions in the sector.”