‘Viable agric practice key to achieving socio-economic development’

Kwara State government has said that protracted crisis in the prices of crude oil is a pointer that mono-product is no longer sustainable for the nation’s economy to depend on. Thus, agriculture is the only alternative way that stimulates socio-economic development in all states, including Kwara and the country at large.

Speaking at the official takeoff of the KwaraMall/Jumpstarting training programme for farmers in Ilorin, Mahmud Babatunde Ajeigbe, state commissioner for Information and Communications, said the best way to achieve socio-economic development was through viable agricultural practice and massive investment in agriculture.

He said it was commendable that stakeholders in the sector had begun to demonstrate willingness to partner the state’s Agro Mall as part of measures to create wealth and increase employment opportunities through agricultural practice.

Ajeigbe assured that the government would continue to support farmers who share in the commitment of the government to revive agriculture on a large- scale and ensure food sufficiency, adding that the next frontier as regards the dreamt socio-economic development for Nigeria is agriculture and agro-allied practice and investment.

Also speaking, Anu Ibiwoye, special adviser to the state governor on Agriculture and Rural Water Support Services, explained that the event was aimed at sensitising farmers on the untapped potential available in orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.

He said the historic gathering would turn-around the face of agriculture in the country, if given the needed support.

Ibiwoye also submitted that the crisis triggered by the oil price in the global market had shown that the economy of Nigeria could no longer be run on mono-sector.

He further explained that the time to diversify the economy has come and the state government would not relent in ensuring that agriculture was resuscitated.

In his remark, Goke Bamidele, state commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the program was apt and timely, as his ministry would always ensure that farmers have something to look forward to, and was ready and committed to improve the lives of the people, especially farmers with sound agricultural practice and investment.

SIKIRAT SHEHU