Kwara Government to Begin Distribution of Fertilizers Using Community-Based Approach

The Kwara State Government has announced plans to commence statewide distribution of assorted fertilizers to deserving farmers through community organizations, a move aimed at improving access to farm inputs at the grassroots level.

 

This was disclosed by Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Development.

 

According to Olohungbebe, the community-based distribution aligns with recommendations from participants at the recently concluded Kwara Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) Summit, held across the state's three senatorial districts.

 

“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has, again, demonstrated his commitment to genuine citizen engagement and participation in the decision-making process by approving that the assorted brands of fertilizers donated by the Central Bank of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security be distributed using the community-led approach,” Olohungbebe said.

 

He also commended the governor for reviewing the feedback from the summit and approving the implementation of some of the participants’ recommendations for improving service delivery.

 

"The governor should also be applauded for showing a keen interest in reviewing feedback as contained in the summit report, and for his approval of the implementation of some of the recommendations made by the participants on strategies for improving service delivery and good."

 

To ensure effective distribution, a committee has been set up in each local government area. The committees include Directors of Personnel Management (DPMs), Community Development Officers (CDOs), representatives from community organizations, Community Development Councils (CDCs), civil society groups, people living with disabilities (PLWD), Jamaatul Nasiru Islam (JNI), and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), among others.

 

The summit's report also advocated for the reintroduction of the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) and the recruitment of additional farm extension workers to collaborate with CBOs for greater impact.

 

Participants further urged the government to continue adopting a community-driven model for the distribution of farm inputs, particularly fertilizers, to ensure better access for farmers in rural areas.