NALDA launches 5,000-hectare farm estate in Kwara to boost food security and employment

This initiative aims to address food insecurity and rural unemployment, with projections to impact approximately 10,000 livelihoods directly and indirectly. The Executive Secretary of NALDA, Cornelius Adebayo, stated that the project is part of President Bola Tinubu's national strategy to enhance food production, create jobs, and mitigate insecurity through agriculture. The farm estate model clusters farmers in a secure and structured environment to improve productivity and address safety concerns.

Each farmer will receive five hectares, and is expected to employ four to five workers, potentially creating 5,000 direct jobs. Including service providers, the initiative targets 10,000 beneficiaries. NALDA will provide mechanized support, starting with 10 tractors.

Adebayo noted that the clustering model facilitates access to financing, monitoring, and coordination with security agencies. Similar farm estates are being developed in Ekiti, Bauchi, and Plateau states. The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Femi Yusuf, described the project as transformative and urged resident participation, anticipating it will reduce insecurity by engaging youth.

The Olora of Ora, Oba Aremu Ridwan, welcomed the development but requested the Federal Government prioritize rehabilitating access roads to the community for easier transpor