We 'll continue to promote agric - Kwara govt

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State yesterday said that the state government will continue to promote agriculture through public private partnership for better economic prosperity in the state and the country in general.

Governor Ahmed said this at a one-day International Agro Summit with the theme: 'Financing Agriculture in Nigeria', organised by Vanguard Media Ltd, in conjunction with Kwara state government and Courtly Communications Ltd, Lagos.

The governor who was represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bode Olayemi, noted that agriculture is the only sector that can assist the people, adding that the state has blazed the trail in large scale commercial agriculture in the country.

He recalled that the Shonga farm experimented by the state government in the state is now yielding unprecedented benefits as many states are already  replicating same.

Olayemi also explained that agriculture will move Nigeria from being a mono-economy to a better place for more businesses, adding that the present administration is interested in ensuring high mechanized farming for better yield.

Vanguard Advert manager, Mr  Emeka Nkwocha, who led the company's team of Messrs David Baro Thomas, Deputy Manager Special Project and Mr Jim Rex Lawson, commended the state for its exploits, particularly in commercial agriculture which was pioneered in the state by the immediate past administration of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Nkwocha also praised Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for improving on the legacies of his predecessor, urging the state government to forge ahead and pointed out  that countless opportunities still abound in the sector to better the lot of Nigerians.