To a keen watcher of Governor Bukola Saraki led administration in Kwara State, things are happening in all the sectors of the economy which has made many to wonder where the great wisdom is coming from.

A close study of the state reveals a well articulated programmes and policies that are designed not only for this generation, but also for generations yet unborn. Though, he is not a seer or prophet neither is he a magician, but Governor Bukola Saraki has some traits of a man who can read the future, the ability of an Eagle, the wisdom of Solomon and the gentility of a Dove. From his policies and programmes, he has demonstrated that he understands the problems of his people and he is all out to solve them. Beyond the unwarranted media attack on his agricultural policy, is silent revolution that when completed will permanently shut the mouths of his critics.

To some who do not understand the Commercial Farming Initiative of his administration, every thing about it is the planting of soya beans and maize on hundreds of hectares of land in Shonga by the once Zimbabwean Farmers now New Nigerian Farmers.

The new Nigerian project is however all embracing. For instance, one of the farmers is doing what many might not believe could be done. Right now, a New Nigerian farmer is in Brazil sourcing for 1,500 heads of cattle to be brought to Shonga farm not to be slaughtered but for milk production. To show this commitment to the project, he has also started to assemble the machines to be used for milk production. One cow is to produce 20 gallons of milk per day.

The same farmer is also to turn out 10,000 chickens per day. Some of them are being projected for export. Again, unknown to many part of the reasons why a cargo shed is to be constructed at the Ilorin International Airport is to facilitate easy exportation of goods from agro-allied industries that will begin to spring up in the state this year.

The cargo shed is to have inbuilt cold store where products for export would be- stocked pending their cargo to the Middle East, Europe and other destinations. Government is not only concentrating on the Shonga farm as critics would want the world to believe, the Malete Youth Integrated Farm is another wonder and a clear testimony of government's determination to make Kwarans, particularly youths know and appreciate modem ways of farming.

Right now, 100 youths drawn from the 16 local government areas of the state are learning everything about modem farming and they are expected to be millionaires after the training. "This is not to be achieved through lotto, rather, their training involves, how they will be able lo obtain agric loans and how to be a successful farmer and farm manager.

The Farm Manager Mr. Colin Spain who incidentally is also a Zimbabwean farmer has been doing everything possible to prepare the lucky youths for the future because they are not only expected to be large scale farmers after the training, but they are also expected to train other youths.

The facilities on the large farm show clearly that the state government is focused and well determined to keep the youths on the farm. There is hostel facility with electricity. DSTV is also installed so that the youths could be familiar with the happenings around the globe.

Apart from sporting facilities on the farm, there is also a laundry While the trainees are also paid stipends monthly. The training on the farm is not a jamboree neither is the farm established for unserious minds. In line with the policy of the state government, discipline is a must and any trainee who cannot abide by the farm rules is booted out unceremoniously.

Just like the Shonga farm, the Malete community and indeed communities around Malete are also to benefit from the farm. Government is prepared to buy grains produced by the local farmers who are also to benefit from the technology being used on the youth farm.

Provision is also being made to supply the local farmers with inputs. Again, like Shonga and the surrounding communities, Malete and the surrounding communities are to be provided with many social amenities. Even, the state is not forgetting the nomadic Fulani cattle rearers. This year, gracing fields with boreholes will be provided for them across the state. This is significant because it will reduce the constant friction between the local farmers and the cattle rearers. There had been instances in the past when the local farmers clash with cattle rearers who allow their animals to eat grains and tubers on the farms.

Very soon, high yielding tomatoes seedlings from Italy will be made available to the local farmers, the New Nigerian Farmers as well as the Youth Farmers in Malete. This is in preparation for tomato paste processing industry in the state.
Already, Ganza Engineering Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the state government for the establishment of a $2.3 million Fish Farm to be cited along Ilorin International Airport road. The farm which is expected to take-off in the next few weeks will produce one million kilogram of fish annually. It is to start with cat fish which is very popular in the Nigerian market.

Another good thing about the farm is that it is targeted at the graduates of agriculture. This is not to say that those who have lower qualifications would not be employed, but graduates of agriculture have about 40 percent of jobs on the farm reserved for them. The Kwara State government is also giving the much needed attention to the Cocoa Rebirth Programme of the Federal Government. The laudable programme is under the supervision of the Deputy Governor, Chief Joel Afolabi Ogundeji who comes from Isin Local Government Area, the headquarters of the cocoa producers in the state. This is in line with the policy of the state government that a round peg should be put in a round hole. Recently, the state government provided N 1.4million worth of input for cocoa farmers in the state. The Bukola Saraki led administration is also not relenting in the area of cassava initiative, cassava farmers are being encouraged and each of the local governments in the state is to have a cassava processing machine.
A cashew processing machine is already on ground for the smooth take-off of cashew processing industry at Ogbondoroko.

Fertilizer plants are also to established at Share and Jebba. And the good news about these plants is that they will produce fertilizers suitable for Kwara soil. The focus of the state government is not only to address food security and unemployment; it is also to produce enough food for Nigerians and for export.

In the words of the commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Saka Onimago "I do not know where Governor Saraki got this wisdom from. If you look at his policy on agriculture, you will discover that he thinks ahead of this generation". Indeed, most people will agree with the commissioner that Kwara is lucky to have a man who is not only surprising people with the Shonga and Malete farms, hut also Duku/Lade Rice project which has equally recorded huge success.