The chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Production Services and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, has decried the impact of climate change on the cultivation of farmland, saying it has negatively affected the quality of the soil for farming.
He stated this during the flagg off of the distribution of 3,500 bags of 50kg fertiliser to smallholder farmers across the four local government areas of Kwara central senatorial district which he represents at the Senate.
The exercise is the first phase of a broader strategy to ensure sustainable agricultural practices in the district.
The beneficiaries of the lawmaker’s largesse cut across members of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), individuals and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who are into farming.
During the symbolic distribution of the farming inputs at the playing ground of Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Ilorin, Mustapha assured that more farmers will benefit from the scheme in the nearest future.
He said the scheme tagged “Empowering Kwara central farmers: Unlocking self- sufficiency in food production,” is aimed at supporting agricultural productivity and improve crop yields for local farmers.
“The impact of climate change and over cultivation of farm land has negatively affected the quality of the soil for farming. This has resulted in a lower yield of crop produce.
“It is important to emphasise that I personally purchased the 3500 bags of fertiliser distributed today to empower our farmers and improve their yield,” he said.
Mustapha noted that the distribution of such a significant quantity of fertiliser 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.
Mustapha used the opportunity to reel out his achievements in office in the last one year as a legislator, saying that the reconstruction of one kilometer asphaltic road opposite Al-Hikmah University leading to Oke-Foma link road in Ilorin West local government area was facilitated to the constituency.
He added that solar-powered motorised 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.