Governor Ododo Comits to Making Kogi 'Food Basket of the Nation' »

Flag-off 2024 Wet Season Farming

Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the state into the “Food Basket of the Nation,” marking the commencement of the 2024 wet season farming with a grand flag-off ceremony.

The event, held in Adogo, Ajaokuta local government area of the state, attracted a large gathering of farmers, stakeholders, and government officials, all eager to witness the launch of the wet season special agricultural intervention programme aimed at transforming the state’s agricultural sector.

In his address, Governor Ododo said a critical part of the poverty measurement index is hunger, stating that the government’s approach to conquering poverty starts with providing adequate food for the people. He emphasized the critical role of agriculture in Kogi State’s economy and the broader vision of his administration to enhance food security, boost local production, and improve the livelihoods of farmers.

Ododo said that over 90 percent of the over 28,833 square kilometers land of Kogi State is arable, noting that Kogi State has been a leading state in cassava, cashew, rice and yam production over the years. He expressed his commitment to ensuring that Kogi State is properly positioned to cater to the food needs of the state and also contribute to the economy of Nigeria.

He outlined several strategic measures, including the expenditure of over 7.5 billion naira in procurement of tractors and other farm inputs such as fertilizers and herbicides, procurement of 384,000 of 300kg of rice seedlings, 20,00kg of maize seedlings and 72,000 bundles of cassava cuttings. They government also procured 14 of 5kg MPK fertilizers, 30,000 sachets of MPK liquid, 20,000 sachet of ureal liquid, 16,500 bags of 50kga urea granulated fertilizers.

Ododo said the 7,324 hectares of land being set is segmented into 5,124 for rice, 1000 for maize and 1,200 for cassava farming. With 2,930 hecters representing 40 percent allocated to youths, 2,563 hecters representing 35 percent allocated to women, with others accounting for 1, 831 hecters representing 25 percent to other stakeholders in the agriculture value chain.

Governor Ododo pointed out that the opening up of more land for agriculture purposes also serve as a security measure as it has made it difficult for criminals to find breading ground for criminal activities.

The governor appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his clear cut policy in the Renewed-Hope Agenda, assuring that Kogi State is already running with the president in his quest to ensuring food security for the country.

In his address, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojoma said a total of 7,324 hectares of land in 79 farm clusters have been identified and delineated for the 2024 wet season special agricultural intervention programme across the 21 local government areas of the state.

He said the administration of administration of Governor Usman Ododo is on the saddle to end food shortages in the State, urging farmers to take advantage of the magnanimity of the government to not only end hunger in their homes and in the State but to come out of poverty. “Our dear farmers are therefore encouraged to approach this programme with all sincerity of purpose to justify the investment by the State government, ” he noted.

Farmers in attendance expressed their optimism and gratitude for the governor’s initiatives. Many noted that the provision of quality inputs and financial support would significantly enhance their capacity to produce more and better-quality crops.