Sen. Saliu Mustapha Flags Off Distribution of Bags of Fertilizer to Farmers

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Production Services, and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, has flagged off the distribution of 3,500 bags of 50kg fertilizer to smallholder farmers across the four local government areas of Kwara Central Senatorial District

Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, made this known on Saturday during the distribution of fertilizer to members of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Kwara State, individuals, and party members who are into farming.

This programme is the first phase of the exercise as part of a broader strategy to ensure sustainable agricultural practices,  held at the playing field of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Ilorin.

At the event tagged “Empowering Kwara Central Farmers: Unlocking Self-Sufficiency in Food Production,”  the initiative aims to support agricultural productivity and improve crop yields for local farmers.

The Senator, who added that about 1,000 pumping machines were distributed to the farmers, noted that the programme was designed to empower the farmers within Kwara Central Senatorial District to be able to minimize the challenges faced with food production and improve the quantity and quality of farm produce for the people of the Senatorial District and beyond.

“The impact of climate change and over cultivation of farmland has negatively affected the quality of the soil for farming. This has resulted in lower crop yields.

“It is important to emphasize that I personally purchased the 3500 bags of fertilizer distributed today to empower our farmers and improve their yield,”  he said.

Mustapha noted that the distribution of such a significant quantity of fertilizer demonstrates a substantial investment in the agricultural sector, reflecting a commitment to enhancing food security and supporting the livelihood of farmers to boost food production in the state.

The Senator, who is also the Vice Chairman of the  Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory Area Council, used the opportunity to reel out his achievements in office in the last one year as a legislator.

He said that the reconstruction of a one kilometer asphalt road opposite Al-Hikmah University leading to Oke-Foma link road in Ilorin West Local Government Area was facilitated for the constituency.

He added that solar-powered motorized boreholes and street lights were also installed across the four local government areas of the senatorial district to complement the state government’s effort in ensuring that the people of the state have access to safe water.

“For record purposes, the solar-powered motorized boreholes were provided at Ile Onifitila, Kankatu, Okelele Road, Ilorin East LGA, Jato Community Ifesowapo, behind Taoheed Central Mosque in Ilorin South LGA, Itamerin Junction, opposite Alhaja Oil in Ilorin West LGA, Aloba Close, Oke Ikoyi, Oke Oyi in Ilorin East LGA, Agbeyangi town in Ilorin East LGA, while solar-powered street lights were installed at Computer Village Challenge Area, Ilorin; and Muslim Cemetery, Oko-Olowo, among other areas and over thirty (30) communities across the four (4) Local Government Areas of Kwara Central Senatorial District.

“We also facilitated the construction and furnishing of a block of two classrooms with an office and store, as well as solar-powered street lights at Government Day Junior Secondary School, Karuma, Ilorin East LGA, Fate/Basin Junior Secondary School, Ilorin South LGA, Local Government Junior Secondary School Odore, and Ilorin West LGA,”  the legislator added.

Chairman of the Fertilisers Distribution Committee, Alhaji (Hon.) Hammed Ayodele Adebayo, noted that the uplifting of genuine farmers across the four local government areas of the Kwara Central senatorial districts with the provision of fertilisers by Senator Saliu  Mustapha was to ensure a bumper harvest during the rainy season.

He noted that agriculture serves as the bedrock of all forms of development in any society, regardless of its size.

“Indeed, no society can truly develop without dedicating sincere attention to agriculture. Most of the developed nations today have their roots deeply embedded in agriculture.

Recognizing this reality, our distinguished Senator Saliu Mustapha prioritizes agriculture to ensure that our local farmers are able to get incentives and farm implements freely as a way to support them towards ensuring food security and a bumper harvest.

Senator Mustapha is renowned for his unwavering commitment to philanthropy, a commitment that began long before his involvement in the political arena.

“His deep understanding of his community’s needs and challenges, coupled with his comprehensive knowledge of its geographical, ecological, and economic dynamics, enables him to effectively address various issues within his constituency.

“His proactive and empathetic approach ensures that he is well-equipped to implement  solutions”, he said

He added that farmers from the agrarian communities in Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Asa local government areas are the beneficiaries of this phased fertilizer distribution, as about 3,500 50-kg bags of fertilisers would be distributed and 1000 water pumps.

“The beneficiaries were selected from various agriculture-related groups and individuals. Farmers were chosen from different farmer groups, like AFAN and Abike-Loko.  Members of traditional, religious, and political groups, confirmed to be farmers, were selected to benefit from the scheme.

Moreover, a diverse group of individuals operating various sizes of farming activities, representing different classes and age groups, were also selected as beneficiaries.” He added.

The National President, Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alhaji Abdulmumini Abdulmalik, expressed delight at Senator Saliu Mustapha’s impact on several poverty alleviation programmes  before he became a senator.

“We commended your generosity and kindness in the face of economic downtown I salute you, and I salute the beneficiary of today’s fertiliser distribution. I want to urge them, as chairman of the distribution committee, to make use of the fertilisers so that the Emirate would become the food basket of Kwara State and to ensure food security in the state as a whole.

To our other political leaders here, I want to urge them to emulate His Excellency the governor of Kwara State, the Senator, in their attempt to develop and improve the economy of Kwara State,” he said.

The National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) Executive Director, Dr. Abdulgafar Rasheed Kamaldeen, commended the senator for his selfless efforts in the laudable initiative.

” The choice of fertiliser as well as the water pump is the best in this era because fertilizer is meant to multiply production, and no doubt it will make our farmer happy. When you look at the global world today, you need irrigation facilities like water pumps to support your farming activities,” he said.

He commended the senator for giving them enormous support at the national assembly.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank him and pray for him. As NCAM supports these laudable efforts because the national centre is to develop and promote agricultural mechanization technology for the transformation of Nigerian agriculture, NCAM is going to donate 100 units of mechanized fertilizer applicators to farmers in Kwara Central to support the efforts of Chairman Saliu Mustapha. I want to congratulate the Senator, farmers in Kwara Central Senatorial District, farmers in Kwara State, and farmers in Nigeria,” he said.

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