Date: 2013-06-19

The Kwara State Government says it is diversifying into agro-allied business to make the agricultural sector, mainstay of the economy for the state to be socio-economically buoyant.

The State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, said this today at the fifth graduation ceremony of the Youth Integrated Training Farm Centre, Malete in Moro Local Government Area of the State.

Governor Ahmed, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, noted that the centre was set up to equip the students with modern skills on Agricultural technology with the vision to make agriculture, the pride of the nation.

He stated that the graduands are the Vanguards of the determined plan of the state government to promote commercial farming in the state in order to be less dependant on the Federal Governments' Allocation.

Governor Ahmed maintained that the bold initiative was also part of the government's efforts to promote economic empowerment for the youth in the state and to make agriculture, a major source of employment, wealth creation and income generation.

The Governor however stressed the need to redouble new approach to the agricultural sector in solving the problem of unemployment by promoting and encouraging youth involvement in agro-business.

He announced that government had approved the reverse curriculum of the farm center and, had also been equally repositioned, pointing out that more than one hundred million naira had been expanded on the centre.

Governor Ahmed, who reiterated the state government's continued support to provide the needed equipments and funds for the farm centre, commended the initiative of the past administration of Senator Bukola Saraki for the establishment of the centre.

In his speech, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Bode Olayemi assured the people of the state of government's determination to make agriculture the fulcrum of the economy.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Alhaji Mahmud Babatunde Ajeigbe, said since inception, the farm training centre had trained four hundred and ninety seventy youths and generated well trained manpower for the state's agricultural needs.

Radio kwara reporter, Olayinka Alaya, reports that out of the one hundred and six students that enrolled for the programme in two thousand twelve, two thousand and thirteen sessions, ninety seven of them graduated after being found worthy in training and character and who can stand on their own as modern commercial farmers.

The graduation was attended by members of the State Executive and Legislative Councils, PDP Stalwats and the General Manager, Radio Kwara, Alhaji Abdullateef Adedeji