A traditional ruler in Kwara, Oba Abdulwahab Adeyemi, has appealed to the state government to assist farmers in clearing farmlands in order to boost agricultural production.

Adeyemi, who is the Aala of Ilala, spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ilala, Irepodun Local Government Area.

The monarch said it had become imperative to solicit government support as land clearing was the greatest challenge in his community.

The vast land is there and people are there with the zeal to farm but our problem is clearing of the land and tilling it to make it ready for farming.

"I am a farmer and I have realised that it is not loan that we need from the government but simply to make the land easy for us to cultivate, " he said.

Adeyemi, who listed other challenges, also urged government to help in checking bush burning.

The monarch said offering loans had been unhelpful to farmers, alleging that politicians were diverting them.

"The community does not recognise these politicians as farmers but they have a way of getting across to collect loans under the pretext of being farmers; we don't want that anymore.

"We want the government to clear farmlands and give us the necessary inputs to farm, " Adeyemi said. (NAN)