The Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), on Friday inaugurated a comprehensive agricultural support package in Kogi State aimed at improving productivity, enhancing food security and promoting youth empowerment.
the intervention, implemented under the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), includes the distribution of dry-season farming inputs, establishment of a seed testing laboratory, and training of youths in agricultural equipment fabrication.
Speaking at the inauguration in Lokoja, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, said the initiative would stimulate rural economic growth and strengthen food security.
Ogunbiyi, represented by the Director, Department of Donor Agencies, Dr Adebola Iluromi, disclosed that the VCDP had supported over 5,832 farmers across five local government areas of the state, with positive multiplier effects across Kogi.
He commended the Kogi State Government for its political will and timely payment of counterpart funding, urging the state to institutionalise the programme by converting it into a state agency after IFAD’s exit.
National Programme Coordinator of FGN/IFAD-VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu, said the programme had supported 5,877 farmers in the rice and cassava value chains, including 2,602 males, 3,275 females and 2,101 youths.
She said beneficiaries received improved rice seeds, fertilisers, herbicides and other complementary inputs to support dry-season rice farming, adding that 30 youths had been trained in equipment fabrication and maintenance and would receive starter packs to begin their businesses.
Aliyu also disclosed that a seed testing laboratory had been established to support seed certification, noting that Kogi State had distinguished itself in the effective implementation of the programme.
“Kogi quickly adopted dry-season rice farming, allowing farmers to cultivate rice three to four times yearly, thereby improving productivity, income and food security,” she said.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Timothy Ojomah, praised the programme for improving farmers’ livelihoods and supporting the youth empowerment and food security agenda of Gov. Ahmed Ododo.
Earlier, the State Programme Coordinator, VCDP, Dr Stella Adejoh, said 787 farmers would benefit from dry-season inputs and equipment across 756 hectares of farmland in five benefiting LGAs.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Moru Ahmed, expressed gratitude to the programme, assuring that farmers would utilise the inputs effectively to achieve its objectives.