By Emmanuel Oluwakorede
The Director-General of the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency, Dr Victor Omofaiye, has said Kogi State accounts for about 50 per cent of Nigeria’s cashew production.
Omofaiye disclosed this while speaking on the State of Kogi, a Radio Kogi audience-participation programme.
He said the state was making progress in developing its cashew industry, citing the establishment of the Free Trade Zone in Ajaokuta and the Kogi International Airport as major projects that would boost the export of cashew and other agricultural commodities.
According to him, the projects would create opportunities for value addition and improve the state’s access to international markets.
Speaking on the Memorandum of Understanding signed with a consultant to develop the cashew business in the state, the KOSCEPA boss said the agreement would soon begin to yield results.
Omofaiye said the agency was also working to add value to other commodities produced in the state.
He noted that the government’s efforts had led to the emergence of Confluence Rice in the market, adding that the agency would continue to support the development of agricultural value chains.
The KOSCEPA DG thanked Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for the confidence reposed in him to lead the agency and pledged his support for the governor’s re-election.
A caller, Acho Man from Ejule, commended the agency for its efforts, while another caller, Kabiru Usman from Koton Karfe, urged it to do more to protect farmers from exploitation.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings