The Kwara State Government has expressed its readiness to support the state chapter of the Rice Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (RIFAN).

The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, stated this at a meeting in his office when the representatives of the association paid him a courtesy visit in his office, in Ilorin the state capital.

Hon. Lade further explained that collaboration with the members of the association and the state government has become necessary to attain food security.

Lade stressed that the collaboration will not only improve and increase food production especially rice but will also bring about employment opportunities, reduce importation, and increase revenue generation for the state.

Earlier, the Board of Trustee Chairman, Dr. Engr. Olaitan Balogun said that the visit was to seek the state government’s support to help their members grow rice in the state.

Dr. Balogun stated Ministries of Water Resources and Agriculture are critical for the growth of farm produce especially rice as water is essential for its growth.

Also speaking during the meeting, Elder James G. Kolo, stated that the purpose of the visit was to seek synergy with the state government to help empower their members to increase rice production in the state.

Elder Kolo appealed to the state government to help empower their members financially to increase food production especially rice to reduce dependence on foreign importation to also help increase revenue generation.