Kwara govt tasks farmers

The Kwara State government has urged farmers in the state to be up and doing as it takes the necessary measures to make agriculture the mainstay of the state's economy.The Commissionerfor Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Olabode Olayemi, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin at the weekend.Olayemi said that the ministry had embarked on a verification visit to farmers who registered to participate in the ``Off-Takers Demand-Driven Agricultural Programme'' of the state government.He reiterated the government's decision to focus on agriculture and to assist farmers in improving their yields and urged those who had indicated interest in the scheme to be more dedicated to their farm work.He said that government was at the next stage of transferring the successes recorded in commercial agriculture to local farmers in order to boost production.He said that the government was working hard to attract more foreign investors to set up agro-allied industries to utilise products from local farmers.Olayemi noted that one of the major problems confronting farmers in the state was how to access markets, adding that the `programme would address the problem.He said that Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed was committed to the well-being of farmers.The commissioner said he had visited farms in Irepodun, Ifelodun and Kaiama local government areas of the state and described the efforts of farmers in Kaiama as very encouraging.The commissioner stressed the need for the Federal Government to partner with the state.
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