KWACREeSAL Project to Improve Environmental Sustainability, Boost Food Security of Kwarans - Aregbe* *... Project guarantees implementation benefits across 16 LG of the State* .

 

The Kwara State Government has disclosed that the Kwara Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project will address climate challenges, boost food security and improve the socio-economic lives of Kwarans.

The State Project Coordinator, Kwara ACReSAL Project, Alhaji Shamsideen Olatunbosun Aregbe, stated this while featuring on a live radio  interactive programme in Ilorin, the State Capital.

The Coordinator who lauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his efforts in incorporating projects that address environmental challenges to avert the adverse effects of climate change is determined to improve the citizens' livelihood through agriculture, urged Kwarans to embrace the project for maximum benefit.  

He added that the project revolves around three core MDAs including the Ministries of Environment, Water Resources and Agriculture with each of the MDAs having shared tasks to carry out in the project implementation. Similarly, constituted bodies such as the State Project Management Units (SPMU), State Steering Committee (SSC) and the State Technical Committee (TSC) are required to oversee the project. 

He emphasized that institutional strengthening is necessary to help position the project management unit and the supervising MDAs to ensure that the objectives of the project are achieved.

Speaking further, Alhaji Aregbe said the project is technologically driven, as it entails the use of state-of-the-art equipment in its operational activities, explaining that the project is designed to address desertification, deforestation and land degradation. Other benefits of the project include boosting economic growth, enhancing food security, supporting farmers and increasing the capacity of extension workers to provide extension services to farmers at the grassroots.

 

Aregbe further explained that the project has mainstream mechanization as the mainstay of agricultural practices, through the provision of tractors to all the 16 LGAs in the State. He assured that before the end of August, the project will commence with the establishment of nurseries in the six selected communities in Kwara. 

Similarly, the SPC also listed some of the activities that the project would accomplish before the end of the year including: distribution of agricultural inputs, rehabilitation of dams, provision of irrigation facilities for farmers, among others.

 He further assured of the involvement of women and youths in the project implementation to ensure that they thrive in their farming business.

The SPC therefore enjoined Kwarans to give the necessary support and cooperation required as the project unfolds in each community across the State.

Communication Unit

KWACReSAL