By Patience Salawu
In a bid to boost food security and sufficiency in Kogi State, the government has mapped out farmlands across the state for intervention programs aimed at increasing agricultural production.
During a two-day tour led by the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon Timothy Ojomah, it was revealed that the government, under the leadership of His Excellency Alhaji Usman Ododo, is committed to revolutionizing agriculture in the state to ensure food self-sufficiency.
Hon. Ojomah announced that the government has identified three locations in each of the three senatorial districts for the program, which will cover over 10,000 hectares of land for rice, maize, and cassava cultivation in the upcoming farming season. The initiative aims to scale up interventions and explore value chains to enhance agricultural productivity.
The Commissioner also mentioned that the state government plans to make Kogi a net producer of basic crops by providing necessary support such as subsidized inputs like fertilizers, chemicals, and extension services to farmers. This move is expected to not only meet the state’s food needs but also contribute to food security at a larger scale.
In response to the government’s initiative, the Onu Ochaja (Omachi’Ata) of Ankpa LGA expressed gratitude and willingness to collaborate for the success of the program. He emphasized the importance of fairness in distributing inputs to farmers and urged the government to sustain the intervention for long-term agricultural development.