The Kwara State Government has launched a comprehensive training programme for agricultural extension officers and selected farmers to promote climate-smart farming practices aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, improving food security, and helping farmers adapt to climate change.
The initiative, implemented through the Kwara Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (KWACReSAL) Project, is being carried out in partnership with the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.
Before the training commenced, officials from NAERLS, IITA, and the KWACReSAL State Project Management Unit held a technical meeting to finalize implementation strategies for the project's three catchment areas. Discussions focused on establishing demonstration farms, Farmer Field Schools, certified seed production, digital monitoring systems, and extension service delivery.
The delegation also met with officials from the Kwara State Ministries of Environment and Agriculture and Rural Development to strengthen collaboration and secure government support for the programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Ilorin, KWACReSAL State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Shamsideen Aregbe, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the future of agriculture in Kwara State. He emphasized that well-trained extension officers are essential for transferring climate-smart technologies to farmers, increasing crop yields, improving soil health, and enhancing resilience against changing weather conditions.
Aregbe urged participants to carefully follow recommended farming practices and share the knowledge gained with farmers in their communities to encourage wider adoption of modern agricultural techniques.
NAERLS engineer Engr. Luqman Durojaiye noted that climate change has continued to disrupt traditional farming through irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts, and declining soil fertility. He explained that the project would establish Farmer Field Schools, Mother Demonstration Plots, Baby Demonstration Plots, and Local Government Demonstration Farms where farmers can observe and adopt improved farming technologies.
He stressed that selecting technologies suited to local soil and climate conditions, alongside strong collaboration among extension workers, researchers, local governments, and farming communities, is key to achieving sustainable agricultural development.
IITA expert Dr. Akeem Ajeigbe outlined the project's implementation plan, stating that each participating local government area will have one centrally located Mother Demonstration Plot supported by 25 Baby Demonstration Plots to accelerate the adoption of climate-smart farming practices.
He added that extension experts will supervise the demonstration sites while digital reporting tools and virtual training platforms will be used to monitor progress and provide continuous technical support. The project will also promote improved crop varieties, certified community seed production, efficient fertilizer application, and sustainable farming systems.
The climate-smart agriculture intervention is expected to run for an initial period of 10 months, with the goal of strengthening farmers' resilience, increasing agricultural productivity, and delivering long-term food security and sustainable livelihoods across Kwara State.
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