By Abdullahi Lukman
The Kwara State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Food Security has pledged its commitment to collaborating with agriculture-focused civil society organizations (CSOs) and women farmers to enhance food security in the state.
The pledge was made on May 21, 2025, during a visit to the House by the Budget Committee Group (BCG), who presented the 2025 agriculture budget analysis report.
Committee Chairwoman, Mrs. Ayi Olatundun, emphasized the House’s readiness to partner with NGOs to foster agricultural growth and support initiatives beneficial to the state’s agricultural development.
She assured that the current administration remains dedicated to advancing the agriculture sector, which has already seen significant progress.
The committee also received input from Mr. Muhammed Kareem Musa, representing Patigi Constituency, who encouraged the BCG to channel its observations and recommendations through the Ministry of Agriculture.
Musa stressed the importance of engaging in the annual budget process to ensure their proposals are considered.
Mr. Yinusa Oniboki, representing Afon Constituency, highlighted the recent passage of the Water User Association Bill, which supports irrigation practices for farmers, enabling year-round farming regardless of rainfall.
This, he noted, is a critical step toward supporting local farmers in the state.
Earlier, Mr. Abdurrahman Ayuba, Coordinator of Scaling Up Public Investment in Agriculture (SUPIA), representing the BCG, called on the government to increase its budget allocation to smallholder women farmers, who play a vital role in food production.
Ayuba pointed out that the 2025 agriculture budget allocation was lower than that of 2024 and urged for a boost in funding for research and development to strengthen the agricultural value chain.
Ayuba advocated for inclusive agricultural budget planning that addresses the needs of women farmers with disabilities to ensure their active participation in the sector.
Mrs. Modupe Suleiman, Deputy Coordinator of the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), also appealed to lawmakers for women-friendly farming tools and better access to credit facilities to boost productivity and support rural livelihoods.
The BCG, a coalition of CSOs focused on agriculture, conducts annual reviews of the state’s agricultural budget.
The initiative is part of ActionAid Nigeria’s SUPIA program, involving 12 organizations across the state.
