An eco-conscious organisation has launched an agricultural programme, titled, ”Home Farming For All” kits for members of Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero federal constituency in Kwara.
Speaking during the launch and distribution exercise of the kits in Omu-Aran in the Irepodun local government area of the state, the managing director, Zenith Energy Enzymes Limited, Mrs Edith Anekwe, said the vision of the programme was to ensure food security and food sufficiency in Kwara state and Nigeria at large.
Mrs Anekwe, who said that the programme is the first of its kind in the country, added that it was in tandem with the programme of the present administration of President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on food security.
She said that home farming would also help to allay fears of attack by herdsmen among farmers, who she said desert their farms due to incessant attacks that led to high costs of food.
”At the inception of this administration, the President said he would declare a state of emergency on food security, and the First Lady, Mrs Remi Tinubu, also launched a home farming programme that is bringing everyone to embrace home farming.
”So, in pursuance of this, we decided to package a kit that can enhance the programme of the present administration by helping every household to be able to grow what they eat.
”The kit contains organic fertilizers, seeds, and feeds that can be planted within the comfort of your homes inside sacks, buckets, etc.
”When everyone starts farming, the price of foods drops automatically,” she said.
She, however, noted that 1,000 extension officers will be employed by the organisation in the state to train people on how to engage in successful home farming.
Also speaking, member, federal House of Representatives, representing Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero, Hon. Raheem Olawuyi, who facilitated the programme, said the initiative aimed to address the pressing issue of high cost of food.
He said this can only be achieved by promoting self-sufficiency in food production within our constituency.
”Today, we gather to embark on a journey that will not only alleviate burden of food expenses but also empower our community members to take control of their food security.
”Through this programme, we envision a future where every household can produce its food, ensuring sustainability and resilience against economic challenges”, he said.
He added that the programme was in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which emphasizes agricultural development as a cornerstone for national growth and self-reliance.
”By fostering home farming, we are contributing to the broader vision of a prosperous and self-sufficient Nigeria,” the lawmaker said.
He commended Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his commitment to agricultural development and being instrumental in making the programme a reality in alignment with his vision for Kwara state.
Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Kwara state chapter, Alhaji Umar Mahmud, said the programme was a laudable one targeted at farmers who formed the majority population in the state.
Kwara Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi commended the lawmaker for ensuring his constituency was the first beneficiary of the laudable initiative amongst all constituencies.
The Deputy Governor, represented by the Special Assistant, Political, Mr. Femi Whyte, urged the prospective recipients of the kits to make judicious use of them.
There was symbolic presentation of the organic kits to farmers in the constituency.
Zenith Energy Enzymes Limited is an eco-conscious company providing cutting-edge enzyme-based products globally.
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