The Kwara State Government has renewed its partnership with the All Farmers Association of Nigeria and other agricultural stakeholders to promote mechanised farming, environmental sustainability and women participation in agriculture across the state.

The commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting between officials of the Kwara State chapter of AFAN and the Kwara State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes office in Ilorin.

Speaking during the engagement, the State Project Coordinator of KWACReSAL, Shamsideen Olatunbosun Aregbe, said the state government remained committed to supporting farmers through improved access to mechanised farming tools and climate-resilient agricultural programmes.

According to him, tractorisation is essential to increasing productivity and addressing food security concerns across the state. He noted that the tractor support programme introduced last year was part of a World Bank-supported intervention designed to expand mechanised farming opportunities for local farmers.

Aregbe also acknowledged reports of operational difficulties affecting some tractors supplied under the programme, adding that steps were being taken to assess the condition of the equipment to ensure effective deployment.

He stressed the need for sustained collaboration with farming communities, particularly in tackling challenges linked to flooding, agricultural logistics and food supply.

The project coordinator further emphasised the importance of women’s inclusion in agricultural initiatives, describing gender participation as critical to the success of farming interventions across the state.

Earlier, the Chairman of AFAN in Kwara State, Shuaib Ajibola, commended KWACReSAL for its contributions to the agricultural sector and pledged the association’s continued cooperation on programmes aimed at improving farmers’ welfare and environmental sustainability.

Ajibola disclosed that the association planned to organise an agricultural expo and stakeholder engagement programme across the state as part of efforts to reconnect with farmers and strengthen outreach activities.

He also raised concerns over recurring land disputes affecting farming communities, calling for sustained dialogue among stakeholders to address agrarian conflicts and ensure peaceful farming operations.

Also speaking, AFAM Project Coordinator AbdulRahman Babatunde praised KWACReSAL for providing agricultural inputs and support to farmers, noting that many beneficiaries had recorded positive outcomes from previous interventions.

Babatunde added that preparations for the current planting season had commenced, with farmers already registering for tractor services and clearing farmlands.

In her remarks, AFAM Women Leader Sherifat Ibrahim called for greater empowerment and technical training for women in rural communities to enhance their participation in mechanised farming.

The Environmental Safeguards Officer of KWACReSAL, Abubakar Mohammed, also reiterated the agency’s commitment to gender equality and effective grievance management in all agricultural programmes.

The renewed collaboration comes as the Kwara State Government intensifies efforts to improve food production and promote climate-smart agriculture through partnerships with farmer groups, development agencies and international organisations.