In a major drive to boost agricultural output and strengthen food security, the Kwara State Chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has commenced the distribution of farm machinery, processing equipment, and agricultural inputs to local government coordinators and commodity groups across the state.

The intervention, provided by the Kwara State Government under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq through the Ministry of Agriculture and the FADAMA Programme, is structured to support dry-season farming and mitigate prevailing economic challenges for local producers.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Kwara State AFAN Chairman, Mallam Salman Shuaib Ajijola, stated that the distribution model was designed to guarantee that resources reach grassroots farmers through a transparent framework.

"We want to showcase to the whole world that what they gave us, we are today distributing it to all our farmers, all our commodity associations, all our stakeholders, and all our representatives. We believe with all this, we will have a better farming period as from this dry season and more," Mallam Ajijola stated.

The machinery and agricultural inputs distributed include:

• Power Tillers: Allocated to local government coordinators to facilitate land preparation for farmers at the grassroots level.
• Milling and Processing Machinery: Multi-purpose rice milling machines, mini rice mills, cassava processing units, and flour millers to reduce post-harvest losses.
• Irrigation and Spraying Equipment: Industrial water pumps for dry-season farming and complete knapsack sprayer sets - inclusive of protective boots, hand gloves, and nose masks - for agricultural stakeholders and pastoralists.
• Inputs and Packaging Materials: High-yield improved seeds, fertilizers, as well as specialized maize and rice packages.

Mallam Ajijola urged beneficiaries to utilize the items effectively, noting that prudent management would encourage further state government interventions.

Reacting on behalf of commodity associations, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Soybean Farmers, Mr Olawoyin Yinka Soloman, praised Governor AbdulRazaq for his sustained investments in agriculture and commended the AFAN leadership for ensuring an equitable distribution process.

Similarly, the AFAN Coordinator for Isin Local Government Area, Mallam Abdulwaheed Zubair, speaking on behalf of local council coordinators, confirmed that the equipment was issued completely free of charge. He assured that the machinery would be deployed immediately to maximize crop yields during the dry-season farming cycle.