The Kwara State Government has unveiled an intervention project to provide crop and livestock inputs and assets to 20,000 farmers in the state within a two year period.
Specifically, under the Kwara State Fadama NG-CARES, the Governor of the state, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, distributed 408 livestock (goats) to 102 farmers drawn from Farmer Communities’ Associations in Asa Local Government Area, on Monday at the council headquarters in Afon.
AbdulRazaq said the intervention programme was the commencement of the fulfilment of his resolve to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the poor and vulnerable, as encapsulated in the objectives of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus.
Represented by his Technical Assistant on Agriculture, Mr AbdulQuawiyu Olododo, the governor tasked the beneficiaries on proper feeding and handling of the goats, saying the four goats received by each farmer (a He-goat and three she-goats) would multiply with time, if given good treatment.
AbdulRazaq told beneficiaries that as the ruminants multiply, the economic status of the receivers would definitely improve, and positively impact on the society.
Also, the governor highlighted agricultural programmes like tractorisation, rice farming scheme and input subsidy, among other initiatives implemented by his administration to boost food production and enhance safe functioning of food supply in the state.
On his part, the state Project Coordinator, Dr Busari Isiaka, disclosed that the exercise would continue in other local government areas, adding that the disbursement of crop inputs and assets would kick off next week.
Speaking, the Director, Veterinary Services Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Olugbon Abdulateef, said the livestock were from a foreign environment and would need to be acclimatised to their new domicile.
Abdulateef urged beneficiaries to call or visit the nearest veterinary clinic in case of strange observations.
Source: AgroNigeria
