The introduction of Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s agricultural reforms in Kogi has led to a significant drop in the prices of food items across the state.
Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lokoja.
Fanwo said that increased production, combined with government measures against hoarding, has stabilised the food supply chain and brought relief to households.
He said that over one million seedlings of cashew and palm were planted this year alone in Kogi, a development he said could inject over ₦100 billion into the state’s agro-economy within three years.
“A market survey shows that the price of a 50kg bag of rice, which sold for about ₦85,000 in March, now goes for between ₦62,000 and ₦65,000.
“Similarly, a medium-sized tuber of yam, previously about ₦2,000, now sells for ₦1,200, while a paint bucket of cassava flakes (garri) has dropped from ₦3,500 to ₦2,400. Prices of maize and corn have also fallen across the state.
“The crash in food prices is not accidental. It is the result of structured support to farmers through various agricultural intervention programmes, including ACReSAL, the massive distribution of improved seedlings, and the opening up of rural roads under the RAAMP project,” Fanwo said.
He stressed that the state government has also put in place strong mechanisms to check hoarding by middlemen who attempt to create artificial scarcity.
According to him, our policy is clear: no one will be allowed to exploit Kogi residents by stockpiling foodstuffs.
“We will continue to monitor markets to ensure availability and affordability more so that the abundant production of staple crops this season has made hoarding unattractive.”
Fanwo said that Ododo remains committed to making Kogi a leading food hub in Nigeria, stressing that agriculture will continue to drive food security, job creation, and economic growth in the state.
“Already, many investors are showing interest in the state’s agricultural sector.
“It is therefore not surprising that Produce for Lagos an agricultural programme of the Lagos State Government has chosen to partner with Kogi for food supply to Lagos.
This partnership, supported by a ₦500 billion agribusiness fund, underscores the growing confidence in Kogi’s agricultural strength and its emerging role in Nigeria’s food security strategy.”