By Noah Peter
In a bid to improve on Agricultural Development Programmes in Kogi State, the International Food Agriculture Department ( IFAD/
Investing in Rural People,has organized Advocacy and Policy Dialogue on Cassava Value Chain Import Substitution to increase the likelihood of farmers in the state.
The programme brought stakeholders and experts from various institutions in agriculture , Ministries and Government top officials to brainstorm on the way forward for import Cassava Value Chain Development Project.
In their separate remarks, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Aliyu Umar Yusuf in message to the Programme represented by the Member representing Ogori / Mangogo Constituency, Bode Ogumola said the House of Assembly would deliberate and make law that would be of benefit to rural farmers of Value Chain Development Programme.
The Speaker reiterated the commitment of the state government to provide food for all through agriculture intervention Programme for rural farmers.
The Secretary to the Government of kogi State, Doctor Folashade Ayoade represented by the Permanent Secretary in her office,Stephen Momoh-Azeez who commended the International Food Agriculture Department, said kogi State government is committed to diversifying the economy through agriculture for sustainable development .
Doctor Ayoade called on relevant stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to achieve import substitutions in Cassava Value Chain Development Programme VCDP.
Earlier, the National Coordinator for International Food Agriculture Department (IFAD) Assisted , Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP,) Doctor Fatima Aliyu represented by one of the Director in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture Abuja, Mr Agama Okon emphasised the needs for all hands to be on deck to boost Agricultural Development Project in Kogi State.
Doctor Fatima urged the people to continue to support government policies and programme as the Federal Government initiative is to diversified the country economy through agriculture revolution to improve the livelihoods of the people.
In a remark, the State Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Timothy Ojomah explained that Kogi State Government remains the hub of agriculture development hence government would continue to pay its counterpart contributions to enable the rural farmers benefits and increase productivity.
In in a remark, the State Programme Coordinator, Doctor Stella Adejoh said Cassava is one of fastest expanding staple food crops and has continued to gain prominence among farmers while the industrial demand is also rising consistently according to the Food and Agricultural Organization ( FAO).
Doctor Stella explained that despite the opportunities, Cassava farmers are faced with challenges such as the type of land tenure system in Nigeria that does not allow for large farm holdings suitable for mechanization, incessant farmers holder clashes, and poor infrastructure.
According to her, the advocacy dialogue is key as government policies can make or mar agricultural value chain development.
The State Coordinator added that efforts are on to increasing the contribution of Cassava to boost economic transformation through key stakeholders involvement and building an agribusiness economy capable of delivering sustained prosperity for food security, export promotion and sustainable income and job growth.
Doctor Stella disclosed that the goal of VCDP -AF is to reduce rural poverty, increase food security and achieve accelerated economic growth on a sustainable basis which small holder farmers being supported with inputs, equipment, training, infrastructure as well as deliberated land development in the five participating LGAs which include Ajaokuta, Ibaji, Kabba Bunu, Lokoja and Olamaboro for increased productivity across the State.
