By James Emejo
The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has commenced the process of establishing an Integrated Farm Estate in Kwara State.
The project is expected to engage over 2000 farmers and significantly boost the economic well-being of the citizens in the state.
The Executive Secretary of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, said the 100- hectare farm estate located in Agbeyangi community will present the biggest cultivation in yam, cassava and maize farming adding that a portion of the land would also be for goat , rabbit and grass cutter rearing, processing, and packaging.
According to him, the proposed farm will be known for three major crops including maize cassava, yam while grass cutters, rabbits and goats rearing will also be undertaken in large quantities for commercial purposes.
Ikonne added that the farm estate will also have an irrigation system that would provide farming all-year-round.
Speaking during a tour of the facility, he said, “We are here to inspect and accept officially the 100 hectares of land donated by this community for NALDA’s integrated farm estate which the president mandated us to develop in all the senatorial zones to achieve food security and create job.”
“The contractor has done a very good job in clearing the provided land and the community as well is willing and ready to be engaged in this commendable landmark of the federal government.
“This also has afforded us the opportunity to educate the community that this project belongs to them. This will empower the youth and women. The desire of the president is to ensure that our youths are engaged and attracted into agricultural business.Everything that is needed to start this farm is available.”
The NALDA boss added that the project will will be replicated in all the 109 senatorial districts across the country following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive, will help achieve the food security agenda of the current administration.
He said,”We will have all year round food production. We will produce enough first for the community to have enough to eat, then it goes out to the state then to other states, the benefits are beyond the community.”
He said,”If we have this in every community, Nigeria will be on auto drive to achieving food security. The project is not about politics, it has nothing to do with Ruga but purely community based and if you are not from this community you will not participate”.
“This project is not for political reason. The president, because of his passion, wants to achieve food security before leaving office, he does not want to leave Nigeria the way he inherited it, so he want to use agriculture to reduce unemployment.”
“It is something that every community that has land should key into for their benefit, you can see that the place is opening up, it can no longer be a hiding place for criminals – when there is development, there is hope for the people.”
Earlier, the NALDA boss and other officials visited the palace of the traditional head, the Alangua of Agbeyangi, Aliyu Baba, to brief him of the activities of NALDA and how it would benefit the members of the community.
The over 100-year-old traditional ruler, on behalf of his people, expressed his appreciation and promise to support the project to see that it succeeds in his lifetime.
NALDA officials and Kwara State Government officials had visited the farm estate to ascertain the level of work on the project which is expected to be completed before February 2022.
The host communities are hopeful that the project will wipe away poverty, address unemployment, food insufficiency, disease and insecurity from their territory..
