Food Security: KWSG Hosts Critical Stakeholders, Vigilante Groups On Cluster Farming Initiative

Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, (4th right), in a group photograph with the Local Government Development Officers during the meeting at the Ministry's Headquarters in Ilorin.

The Kwara State Government today held a meeting with critical stakeholders and heads of vigilante groups of Nigeria on cluster farming initiative in order to address the problem of food insecurity in the country.

Speaking at the meeting, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas said the cluster farming initiative is aimed at achieving food sufficiency in the state and the country at large.

Mrs. Thomas disclosed that the importance of the engagement meeting is to deliberate on the best model that can be adopted to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, especically the present administration's planned programmes and its policy thrust in the sector.

The Commissioner, who described cluster farming as a catalyst for achieving food security as well as security of life and properties of the people, stressed the importance of the stakeholders in ensuring proper dissemination of the initiative by highlighting its advantages in security of the farm, access to land for farming, access to quality inputs and extension services, market linkage and good road network, among others.

She emphasized the critical role of the vigilante group in the project, adding that it has been a proven model in the previous programme in the state, and solicited their support for the success of the programme.

On his part, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Hon. Abubakar Bata charged the Local Governments Directors of Personnel Management (DPM), and Development Officers (DO) in attendance to ensure that the outcome of the meeting is trickled down to their various communities at the grassroots level.

He tasked the vigilante groups to work with other security agencies with a view to having a well secured society and food security in the state, pointing out that the state government would soon commence another phase of farm inputs distribution that will be handled by a consultant to ensure fairness and unbiased exercise.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Yunusa Lade said the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is at the forefront of the present administration's renewed hope on food security, describing it as the major reason to ensure that cluster farming initiative works in the state. 

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Funke Sokoya urged the stakeholders to promptly avail the Ministry of useful information that can assist the government in the implementation of its programmes.

The representative of the DPM, Mrs. Felicia Aina said all Local Governments in the state are duty bound to make government policies and programmes work at the grassroot and pledged their unreserved support for the success of the programme.

Speaking on behalf of the Development Officers, Mr. Haruna Likpata called for synergy among the people involved in the programme for a successful outcome.

Also speaking on behalf of the Vigilante Groups, Mr. James Bello pleaded for government assistance in the provision of ammunition for improved security network in the state.

Oladipo Temple Olushola 

Asst. Press Secretary 

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.