By Salawu Nneka Patience
The Kogi State Government, through the International Fund for Agricultural Development Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP), has flagged off the distribution of 2026 wet season farm inputs, including fertilizers, improved cassava stems, herbicides, and cargo tricycles to beneficiaries across the state.
The intervention is aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, improving farmers’ access to quality farm inputs, and strengthening the transportation of agricultural produce to enhance value chain development, food security, and economic growth in Kogi State.
Representing the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, at the flag-off ceremony, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, said the present administration remains committed to repositioning agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy through strategic investments and sustained support for farmers.
The Commissioner said Governor Ododo has demonstrated exceptional commitment to agricultural development by prioritizing policies and programmes that directly improve the livelihoods of farmers across the state. He noted that the administration’s consistent support for agricultural initiatives, coupled with the prompt payment of counterpart funds for development programmes such as IFAD-VCDP, has strengthened the confidence of development partners and ensured the smooth implementation of projects that benefit rural communities.
According to him, the timely release of counterpart funding has enabled Kogi State to continue accessing critical support from development partners, resulting in increased agricultural productivity, improved rural infrastructure, and enhanced value chain development.
He commended Governor Ododo for sustaining the agricultural transformation agenda in the state and reaffirmed the administration’s determination to continue empowering smallholder farmers with improved inputs, mechanisation support, extension services, and market opportunities. He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the farm inputs and cargo tricycles to improve productivity, increase household incomes, and contribute to the state’s food security objectives.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the National Programme Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Dr. Fatima Aliyu, Mallam Hamza Shehu commended the Kogi State Government for its unwavering commitment to the successful implementation of the Value Chain Development Programme.
He described Kogi as one of the states demonstrating strong ownership of the programme through effective collaboration and timely fulfilment of its obligations, particularly the prompt payment of counterpart funds, which has continued to attract development interventions and improve the livelihoods of farming communities. He encouraged beneficiaries to make productive use of the distributed inputs to ensure increased yields and sustainable agricultural development.
Earlier in her welcome address, the State Project Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Dr. Mrs. Stella Adejoh, described the flag-off as another milestone in the programme’s efforts to empower smallholder farmers across Kogi State. She disclosed that a total of 572 beneficiaries drawn from Ajaokuta, Ibaji, Kabba/Bunu, Lokoja, and Olamaboro Local Government Areas were selected to benefit from the intervention.
According to her, the beneficiaries received improved agricultural inputs for cassava and rice production, while mechanisation support included the distribution of 42 mini cargo tricycles and six heavy-duty cargo tricycles to facilitate farm operations and improve the transportation of agricultural produce. She noted that the intervention would not only enhance farm productivity but also improve post-harvest handling, reduce transportation challenges, and strengthen agricultural value chains across the participating communities.
In his goodwill message, the Managing Director of the Kogi Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Dr. Bello George Ogirima, expressed satisfaction with the progress being recorded in the agricultural sector under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
He described the Kogi ADP as the backbone of agricultural development in the state, emphasizing its crucial role in providing extension services, technical support, and capacity building for farmers to increase productivity and adopt modern agricultural practices.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, one of the recipients expressed profound appreciation to the Kogi State Government, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, and IFAD-VCDP for the timely intervention. The beneficiary described the support as a major relief to farmers at the peak of the wet farming season, noting that the farm inputs and cargo tricycles would significantly reduce production costs, improve the movement of farm produce, and increase household income. The beneficiary pledged that recipients would make effective use of the items to justify the confidence reposed in them and contribute to improved food production across the state.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by senior government officials, representatives of development partners, farmer groups, and beneficiaries from the various participating local government areas. The event reaffirmed the strong partnership between the Kogi State Government and IFAD-VCDP in promoting sustainable agricultural development, strengthening agricultural value chains, empowering smallholder farmers, and advancing food security and inclusive economic growth across Kogi State.
