Food Security: Kwara Gov revives NPFS 30 years after
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Almost three decades after, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the revitalisation of the National Programme for Food Security (NPFS), signaling a renewed drive towards strengthening food systems, revitalising legacy agricultural programmes, and achieving sustainable food security in the State.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Afees Abolore Alabi, disclosed this on Wednesday in Ilorin during the 3rd Quarter Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing organised by the Ministry of Communications.
Dr. Alabi explained that the project, co-funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), marks a significant milestone in the Governor’s effort to modernise the agricultural sector, and empower rural communities, describing the initiative as one that would reposition the state’s agricultural landscape for inclusive growth and productivity.
The Commissioner added that the renewed NPFS would focus on key interventions, including irrigation infrastructure, farmer capacity building, value chain development, and improved access to credit and markets. “These efforts align with the administration’s vision of creating a self-sustaining agricultural economy that guarantees food availability and supports smallholder farmers,” he stated.
The revitalised NPFS is projected to directly benefit thousands of smallholder farmers through improved yields, access to irrigation facilities, and expanded market opportunities, while contributing significantly to the state’s food security target.
He further highlighted that the Ministry has made significant progress in farmer empowerment, mechanisation, and value chain expansion, adding that the State Government distributed 16 tractors and essential farm inputs, including maize, rice, and soybean seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, and knapsack sprayers across all 16 local government areas.
He said: “In addition to the 32 tractors earlier distributed, these interventions are enhancing farm productivity, promoting cluster-based farming, and strengthening cooperative linkages designed to improve efficiency and rural livelihoods.”
Dr. Alabi added that the Ministry has also intensified collaboration with relevant agencies and institutions to advance food production and agribusiness, including partnerships with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) to strengthen the rice value chain, ongoing collaboration with Olam Group to position Kwara as a leading hub for soyabean production and processing, and strategic ties with universities and research institutions to promote student-led agribusiness initiatives across the state.
Commending Governor AbdulRazaq for his unwavering commitment to agricultural transformation, the Commissioner described him as a leader whose foresight continues to attract critical development partnerships to the State.
These milestones, Dr. Alabi noted, reflect the AbdulRazaq administration’s strategic commitment to building a modern and resilient agricultural sector capable of driving inclusive growth and ensuring food security for all, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to consolidating progress and unlocking new frontiers of growth in the sector. He further assured that the State Government remains dedicated to sustaining these gains through effective monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and continued investment in technology-driven agriculture.