The Kwara State Agricultural Development Project (KWADP), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), has launched a four-day capacity-building exercise for agricultural extension agents at the KWADP Hall in Ilorin today.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Afees Abolore Alabi, opened the training, reaffirming Kwara State's position as a leader in agricultural advancement. He attributed this status to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's administration's continued efforts to modernise and grow the sector.

Dr. Alabi praised the Smallholder Horticultural Empowerment Project (SHEP) for facilitating the session, calling it a timely initiative to boost food security and farming innovation. He also commended KWADP's field officers across Kwara's Local Government Areas (LGAs) for their dedication, urging them to sustain efforts to enhance farmer support and productivity.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Funke Sokoya, also lauded the organizers for the impactful programme and urged participants to share the insights gained with farming communities. She emphasized the importance of promoting backyard farming as a practical solution to food insecurity.

Speaking on behalf of the SHEP team, Mr. Wale Kayode appreciated the State Government for its consistent support. He noted that the training aims to equip participants with strategies to boost farm output and drive economic growth. According to him, Kwara has long been a focus for the initiative due to its proactive approach to agricultural development, often without dependence on external funding.

The Managing Director of KWADP, Dr. (Mrs.) Khadijat Ahmad, expressed appreciation for the government's commitment to staff welfare, particularly the regular payment of salaries, which she said keeps personnel motivated and focused. She reiterated the vital role of Extension Agents in delivering agricultural knowledge and sustaining rural development.

The training is part of a broader drive to strengthen agricultural extension systems and ensure farmers across the State benefit from practical, modern, and scalable practices.