March 28, 2024

2nd anniversary: KEDA flag-off training, empowerment program on OFSP value addition

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As part of events to commemorate her two years in operation as an agency, the Kogi State Enterprise Development Agency (KEDA), has launched Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes Initiative (OFSPI), alongside training and empowerment program for women and youths across the state.

Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato is reputed to be the ‘New Gold’ for its high commercial value which makes it a good source of wealth creation. It is rich in antioxidants which helps prevent cancer, and it contains beta-carotene, potassium, phosphorus, iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin C and iron. It can be consumed as a vegetable, eaten as snacks or processed into flour to make amala, bread, puff-puff, chips, crisps, cake, porridge, and other pastries, and healthy drinks.

At the flag-off of the two-day OFSPI training held in government house, Lokoja, on Wednesday, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of KEDA, Hajia Rekiya Onaivo Sanni said that the training/workshop would help the participants mostly women who engage in small scale businesses especially farming to go into OFSP production to enhance thier financial status as well as improve thier wellbeing.

She said necessary support would be given to the participants through their various registered cooperatives as well as the needed expertise in the cultivation of the product.

Onaivo said the workshop would also engaged participants in technology innovation, fashion and designing amongst other things aimed at taking people out of poverty and empower them financially.

She disclosed that the State Government aims at supporting 400,000 entrepreneurs across the state while the sum of #750m is being expected to be disbursed as loan to end users of the programme.

On the targeted participants, she said women are given the largest share, while youths and people living with disability, PLWD, are also included in the scheme.

Performing the flag-off, Governor Yahaya Bello commended KEDA for her initiatives and commitment to improving the livelihoods of Kogi people. He charged participants at the event to convert the knowledge acquired to wealth that will benefit their families and the state.

Bello who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade, said the Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato if properly cultivated would empower the participants financially who are mostly women, and boost the economy of the State and Nation via export of the commodity.

The Governor assured the participants of the full support of the Government in the areas of land, loans and grants to encourage the cultivation of the products which he stressed has tremendous health benefits.

Earlier in his address, the Commissioners for Commerce and Industry, Yunusa Olofu said the cultivation of the Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato, OFSP, when harnessed would reduce importation of wheat as it could used in bread production, act as Vitamin A in children, and boost the State economy. He commended the KEDA Boss, Hajia Rekiya Onaivo for living up to the mandate of the agency.

Also, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, David Apeh said that the Ministry would partner with KEDA on a working template to promote the cultivation of the Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato with other relevant stakeholders to achieve set goals.

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