The Kwara State Government has improved the lives of women and youths in some rural communities of the state through the Farm Kwara Project.

The Farm Kwara Project models the Federal Government led NALDA Program, with its implementation commencing in Ifelodun Local Government of Kwara South.

Speaking at the Harvest and End of the Year event of Farm Kwara in Isin, Senior Special Assistant to Kwara State Governor on Non-Governmental Affairs, Toyosi Thomas, said His Excellency Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq brought together about 5 SSAs some years back to work on the NALDA Program.

The governor's aides in the committee include SSA, Non-Governmental Affairs Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas (Chairman); SSA, Job Creation, Mr. Aliyu Alhassan (Deputy Chairman); SSA, Community Intervention, Mr. Kayode Oyin-Zubair; SSA, SDGs, Ms. Jemila Ibrahim; SA, GIS, Mr. Abdulmutallab Shittu; TA, Agriculture, Mr. Abdulquawiy Olododo.

Others are officials of the ministries of agriculture and finance: Principal Agric Engineer, Mr. Abubakar Hussain and Principal Planning Officer, Mr. Aderemi Isioye.

“We were tasked by His Excellency to create a model similar to NALDA for the state, and that was what brought about Farm Kwara. His Excellency gave us the mandate to create jobs and sustainably improve the lives of women and youths in rural communities through Farm Kwara,” Thomas explained.

The event was attended by state cabinet members, royal fathers and community leaders, including the Olusin of Ijara Isin, Oba Ajibola Ademola Julius; Elerin of Adanla-Irese, Oba Dr. David S. Oyerinola Adedunmoye; among others.

The Farm Kwara project has impacted several rural community dwellers in Ahun, Adanla-Irese, Isin, Okeya-Ipo of the southern part of the state.

Thomas said in her presentation that the Kwara State Government is taking the lead amongst other states in developing sustainable projects that will outlive the current administration.

“That is why we have designed the Farm Kwara Program to ensure that Citizens of Kwara, especially those in the rural areas - moreso our women and youths - do not have to continue to depend on the Government, Aids, friends and family for their daily needs. Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq will forever be remembered for this great initiative.”

In her presentation, Thomas also attempted to chronicle how the Farm Kwara Project started in the state, noting the experience has been encouraging as community women showed commitment, cooperation and hard work.

“The Farm Kwara journey started at Ahun community in Ifelodun. The Ahun people received the program with so much expectations, and despite the fact that we had a shaky first 2 years, they are still standing. Thankfully this year, at Ahun - with the intervention of the Government as we've already heard from them - the Ahun Farmers enjoyed their farming and had a bountiful harvest. The Ahun farmers always display a high sense of community and teamwork, and they always stick together no matter the challenges. Ahun farmers, please continue to display Farm Kwara's value of Hard Work, Community, and Team Work.”

She also acknowledged the support of the royal fathers of Adanla-Irese and Ijara-Isin respectively in making the project a whole lot easier for their people.

“From Ahun, we moved to Adanla-Irese, where the King, a developmental economist, my Royal Father- His Royal Highness Oba Dr. David S. Oyerinola Adedunmoye, Elerin of Adanla-Irese quickly showed us that he understood the benefits of the program even more than those that have put it together. Kabiyesi did everything in his power to support the development of his community.

“From Adanla - we moved to Isin LGA where again we were welcomed by yet another King who will stop at nothing to develop his community - The Lion King. Oba Ajibola Ademola Julius ensured that he brought Farm Kwara into his community, he cleared the Land and financed his farmers as well as the other farmers in the program. The Isin Women, clearly lived up to all expectations, they were ever ready, from coming properly dressed, to being punctual, you never had to repeat yourself with the Isin women.”

The Chairman congratulated farmers who were enlisted in the Farm Kwara Project, admonishing them to remain resolute and committed because agric is not a get-rich-quick scheme.

“Today, I congratulate all the farmers that are present in the Farm Kwara Program, you all have been carefully selected for this program because as we all know, Agric is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Therefore, we need to ensure we have the right kind of people who will persevere and be resolute like the Adanla people, who will stay committed to the Program like the Ijara Isin people, who will work diligently together as a team like the Ahun people, and who will be ready to take advantage of the opportunities that this great program has to offer like the Okeya-Ipo People.”