The recent decline in food prices across Kwara State has been credited to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s sustained investment in the agricultural sector.
This was revealed by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Afees Abolore Alabi, during the 9th Faculty of Agriculture Lecture at the University of Ilorin, where he served as guest speaker.
Themed “Agriculture and National Security: The Nigerian Armed Forces in Perspective,” the event was hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, alongside the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Oluyemisi Fawole.
Dr. Abolore said the drop in food prices directly results from Governor AbdulRazaq’s consistent focus on agricultural sustainability.
He cited increased farmer support, counterpart funding for high-impact programs, and strategic partnerships as major contributors to the sector’s recent growth.
He also revealed that Kwara State is intensifying its dry season farming initiatives to ensure year-round food production.
These efforts, he said, will not only enhance food security and price stability but also create income opportunities and maximize existing irrigation and farming infrastructure.
Linking agriculture to national stability, the Commissioner emphasized that Kwara’s agricultural reforms are part of a wider strategy to foster peace and development.
He described agriculture as both an economic engine and a tool for national resilience.
According to him, the state’s peaceful climate, aided by its strategic location and cultural harmony, continues to attract agribusiness investments and supports a vibrant agricultural economy.
Delivering the keynote address, Major General Bello Alhaji Tsoho, a University of Ilorin alumnus and agriculture graduate, highlighted the critical intersection between agriculture and national defense.
He argued that modern security transcends military strength to include food systems, economic stability, and environmental sustainability.
Drawing from his dual military and agriculture experience, General Tsoho warned that food insecurity could fuel unrest and instability, urging governments at all levels to treat agriculture as a core element of national security.
The lecture, aimed at connecting academic insight with public policy, provided a platform for engagement among scholars, security experts, and government officials.
With sustained investment and forward-thinking leadership, Kwara State is increasingly seen as a national example of how agriculture can serve as a foundation for peace, security, and prosperity.
Credit: Ashaolu Omotola
