Kwara to hold agro input fair for farmers’ productivity
The Kwara State Government has announced plans to host the ADP Agro Input Fair 2025, an initiative aimed at equipping farmers with high-quality agricultural inputs, training, and essential advisory services ahead of the new planting season. The fair, scheduled to take place between February 24 and 28, 2025, at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s premises in Ilorin, aligns with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s commitment to food security and agricultural development.
According to a statement from the Ministry’s Press Secretary, Ashaolu Omotola, the fair will serve as a critical intervention to ensure that farmers can access affordable and top-quality farm inputs, alongside key support services necessary for a productive planting season. The event will feature multiple engagement opportunities, including:
- Access to Affordable Farm Inputs – Ensuring smallholder farmers and commercial farm owners can obtain essential resources such as fertilizers, seeds, and agrochemicals at subsidized rates.
- Workshops and Training Sessions – Focused on best agronomic practices, modern farming techniques, and post-harvest management.
- Climate and Extension Advisory Services – Providing farmers with real-time climate intelligence and expert guidance on mitigating weather-related risks.
- Outgrowers Scheme Registration – Encouraging farmers to participate in structured contract farming arrangements for better market access.
- Market Linkage Opportunities – Creating direct connections between farmers, agro-dealers, and buyers to enhance profitability.
- Security Advisory – Addressing concerns related to farm security and strategies for safeguarding agricultural investments.
The fair is expected to attract a diverse range of stakeholders, including smallholder farmers, commercial farm owners, agro-dealers, and industry experts, fostering an environment for knowledge exchange and economic empowerment.
Source- The Guardian
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders:
The ADP Agro Input Fair represents a strategic move toward improving agricultural productivity and strengthening the state’s agribusiness ecosystem. This initiative offers several key benefits to stakeholders across the agricultural value chain:
- Improved Access to Quality Inputs
Ensuring that farmers receive certified seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals will significantly enhance crop yields and reduce production risks. However, measures must be in place to verify the authenticity of inputs to prevent substandard products from infiltrating the market. - Farmer Capacity Building
Training workshops on modern agronomic techniques, climate-smart agriculture, and mechanization will be vital in enhancing farmer efficiency and sustainability. More emphasis should also be placed on precision agriculture and digital farming tools. - Market Linkages and Economic Empowerment
The inclusion of outgrower scheme registration and direct market access opportunities will improve farmers’ ability to secure buyers and negotiate better pricing. Encouraging agribusiness startups and processors to participate will further enhance value addition in the sector. - Security and Climate Resilience
Providing security advisory services is crucial given the rising concerns about farm theft and herder-farmer conflicts. Additionally, climate advisory services will help farmers adopt adaptive practices that mitigate risks associated with erratic weather patterns. - Sustainability and Policy Support
The fair should go beyond one-time interventions by fostering long-term collaborations between farmers, agro-dealers, financial institutions, and policymakers. Establishing a monitoring framework to track the impact of distributed inputs and training programs will be essential for sustained growth.
The ADP Agro Input Fair 2025 presents a timely opportunity to equip farmers with the tools, knowledge, and networks necessary to scale their operations and boost food production in Kwara State. However, ensuring consistent follow-up support, financing mechanisms, and access to mechanization services will be key to translating this initiative into lasting agricultural transformation.
By addressing both input accessibility and value chain efficiency, the fair has the potential to position Kwara State as a model for inclusive and market-driven agricultural development in Nigeria.
