KOGI TO PARTNER WITH WAICF, BEEBEEJUMP, CHINESE INVESTORS TO POWER RURAL AGRICULTURE

By Salawu Nneka Patience

A delegation comprising members of the Kogi State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, the Women in Agriculture Cooperative Federation Limited (WAICF), representatives of a Chinese international agency, and officials of Beebeejump International Ltd has paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Timothy Ojomah.

The visit was part of ongoing discussions on plans to deploy solar power systems in rural communities without electricity, to strengthen and improve rural productivity and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the State.

Leading the Assembly’s delegation was Hon. Bin Ebaiya Shehu Tijani, who represented the Committee Chairman, Hon. Seyi Bello, currently on official engagement. He was accompanied by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Comfort Eggwaba; Hon. Idrees Aliyu, Member representing Kogi Koto State Constituency; and Hon. Jibril Onoru-Oiza Abu, Member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency.

Beebeejump International Ltd, which has already deployed over 500,000 solar systems nationwide, pledged to leverage its technical expertise and experience on the project. The Chinese partners also assured their readiness to support the initiative with investment and technology transfer.

The inveestors revealed plans to deploy solar-powered irrigation across 10,000 hectares of farmland, a transformative project where they will provide 60%of the required funding, whilethe government is expected to provide the balance.
This, they emphasized, will not only expand food production but also secure year-round fatming for rural communities.

The National President of WAICF, Dr. (Mrs.) Audu Esther Destiny, explained that the partnership ties into the federation’s forthcoming 29th Anniversary programmes, which include the installation of rice mills in five local government areas and the training of 5,000 women and youths in processing and packaging. She emphasized that solar-powered irrigation and processing facilities would significantly reduce post-harvest losses and create new opportunities for rural women and young people.

In his response, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, welcomed the initiative, assuring that the state government would provide the necessary policy support to ensure that women, youths, and farmers in Kogi fully benefited from the programme.

The legislative arm of government also reaffirmed its support, pledging to provide a strong legal framework to empower women in agriculture and attract more dividends of democracy to rural farmers. “Kogi is for all,” the lawmakers emphasized.