The Kwara State Fadama-Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Programme has pledged collaboration with the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in the area of agricultural inputs and other interventions.
The State Project Coordinator, Dr Busari Isiaka, gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving the new state executive of AFAN in his office in Ilorin.
Busari said the meeting was aimed at deepening farmers’ participation in agricultural development and ensuring that project interventions reach the grassroots.
He congratulated the new AFAN leadership on its inauguration and urged members to promote unity and work with other agricultural organisations, including the State Federated Fadama Community Association.
“Farmers are a major factor in the success of agricultural development programmes.
“Effective collaboration with farmers’ associations will enhance participation and ensure interventions are more responsive to beneficiaries’ needs,” he said.
The Coordinator also commended Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for investments in agriculture, particularly the recent disbursement of inputs and assets to farmers.
He urged AFAN leaders to mobilise members for the forthcoming distribution exercise.
Busari added that Kwara Fadama-CARES would maintain an open relationship with AFAN in the areas of farmers’ mobilisation and sensitisation on project activities.
Speaking earlier, AFAN State Treasurer, Mr Funsho Afolayan, said the association is the umbrella body for 28 commodity groups covering arable crops, livestock, tree and trade crops.
He explained that AFAN has structures from the national to the ward level and intends to partner with Fadama-CARES to ensure agricultural dividends reach rural farmers.
Afolayan listed AFAN’s responsibilities to include linking farmers with the government, advising on agricultural policy, and supporting training on climate-smart agricultural practices.
